North America
Welcome to our weekly roundup of all important blockchain and cryptocurrency news from around the world. Follow the latest developments in the cryptocurrency space continent by continent, country by country.
USA
Crypto markets likely to surge with Wall Street interest: Crypto markets may be up for a boost amid interest from Wall Street according to BKCM digital asset former founder and CNBC contributor Brian Kelly. Kelly maintains the opinion that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Goldman Sachs’s entry into the crypto space will increase popularity of crypto markets.
But, it was also reported that NYSE won’t be launching a futures market but instead a regular cryptocurrency trading desk or app where customers can trade in cryptocurrencies like stocks.
According to NY Times:
“The parent company of the New York Stock Exchange has been working on an online trading platform that would allow large investors to buy and hold Bitcoin, according to emails and documents viewed by The New York Times.”
Elon Musk challenges Warren Buffet’s take on crypto: Warren Buffet’s anti-cryptocurrency views are famous around the globe and constantly draw flak from pro-blockchain figures. Recently, Elon Musk was involved in a social media exchange with his rival that led to a light-hearted jab.
Elon Musk said in response to Buffet’s rigid ideas on cryptocurrency in a tweet: “ok ok, just for the sake of argument, what do you wish for Candy? Cryptocandy?”
The reference was a light jab at Buffet’s investment in See’s Candy. Musk hasn’t taken to much of a strong stance on cryptocurrencies but the tweet shows he is ready to defend the currency and the tech.
Mutual fund VP says blockchain to drive companies into next industrial revolution: Mutual fund Federated Investors’ VP and portfolio manager Steve Chivarone has ranked blockchain as one of the top five techs that will usher the world into the next industrial revolution.
Chivarone went beyond that and said blockchain could become an “economic driver” along with robotics, AI and IOT.
He said, “When you think about it from an enterprise perspective, it has the ability to replace reconciliation, which is expensive and requires back-office and time and paperwork with more instantaneous verification […] that will allow cost to be cut and that savings [sic] to be passed along.”
Microsoft and Amazon adapting to blockchain: Two of the biggest companies in the world, Microsoft and Amazon, are now trying multiples approaches to get into the blockchain space as part of their transition into decentralized economy and cashless society.
Microsoft had been one of the pioneers in the business it has already toyed with Bitcoin payments in the Xbox and Windows store but is now looking at its technology for the future rather than just monetary value.
Similarly, Amazon has been under pressure to start accepting cryptocurrency payments. While that is not possible right now, Amazon has announced that it is looking into blockchain-related proposals for its Amazon Web Services (AWS).
The involvement of both these tech giants is seen as a boost by the crypto community.
Californian candidate running on pro-crypto platform: Californian politician Brian Forde is running on a pro-crypto platform for Congress. The candidate is aiming to become the representative of the 45th District seat in Washington and is promising to bridge the gap between the government and the crypto community.
Speaking at an Ethereum summit in Queens he said:
“What I want to do is create transparency for the voice of the citizen, so that if I do make a decision that’s not consistent with what all the votes said, then I’ve got to explain myself.”
New York looking to become blockchain hub: The New York Economic Development Corporation (NYEDC) has announced that it is taking initiatives to make the city a Blockchain hub in the country. With Blockchain Week underway in the city, several plans for the future of cryptocurrencies have been proposed. The development of a Blockchain Center is one of the initiatives and its purpose is to educate and raise awareness of the groundbreaking technology.
New York’s notorious BitLicense requirements are seen as anti-crypto policy and that may well change following this move by the administration.
NYC Blockchain Week underway: The first Blockchain Week is underway. The inaugural edition is taking place in partnership between NYDEC and CoinDesk.
Over 8,000 attendees are likely to participate in the conference and speakers include Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis President James Bullard and CEO FedEx Corp Fredrick Smith according to co-sponsors Coindesk.
After parties will include a bash hosted by Ripple featuring Snoop Dogg.
Canada
Bank of Canada says blockchain effective for securities settlements: Canada’s central bank and Toronto Stock Exchange has said that blockchain technology is an effective method for automating securities exchange in real time.
British Columbia regulator warns against investing in crypto: British Columbia securities regulator has voiced the same concerns as his Ontario counterpart by coming out against investment in cryptocurrencies because of the risk of financial scams.
The official channel of the commission states that residents should take extreme caution in deciding whether or not to buy cryptocurrencies.
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