European Parliament approves stricter regulation for cryptocurrencies

The European Parliament has approved stricter rules that aim to prevent the use of cryptocurrencies for money laundering and terrorism financing activities. The European Parliament and the Council reached a political agreement last December on the revision of the Fourth Anti-Money Laundering Directive. The legislative proposals were put forward by the European Commission following the bombing attacks in Paris and Brussels in 2015 and 2016.

16 Japanese crypto exchanges launch self-regulatory organisation

Japanese cryptocurrency exchanges, which are licensed by the Financial Services Agency (FSA), have officially announced a self regulating organization in a bid to restore market confidence. Local news outlet Asahi Shimbun reported that 16 domestic cryptocurrency exchanges have formed a new self-regulatory organization, called Japanese Cryptocurrency Exchange Association. Participating exchanges include Money Partners, Quoine, bitFlyer, SBI Virtual Currency, GMO Coin, and Bit Argo Exchange Tokyo, among others.

Nasdaq could include cryptocurrency trade in future, suggests CEO Adena Friedman

Nasdaq is open to becoming a cryptocurrency exchange, the company’s CEO said in a recent interview. In an interview with CNBC's Squawk Box, Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman was not only bullish on cryptocurrencies but also hinted on the possibility of the American stock exchange giant becoming a cryptocurrency exchange in the future.

Most people view Bitcoin as asset class rather than means of payment: UK FCA official

Most people now view bitcoin and other digital currencies as an “asset class” rather than a means of payment as originally intended, Mary Starks, Director of Competition, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), said recently. Speaking at the Authority for Consumers & Markets Conference Panel, Netherlands, Starks focused on the risks to consumers and competition with the advent of blockchain technology.

FxWirePro: CFTC guidance on Blockchain implementation for regulatory framework of swap derivatives contracts

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman J. Christopher Giancarlo today released a white paper on Swaps regulation. In this white paper, Swaps Regulation Version 2.0. Entitled was published, where an assessment of the current implementation of reform and proposals for next steps, the unique aspect of this document is the fact that CFTC Chair J. Christopher Giancarlo is advocating on behalf of using distributed ledger technology (DLT) otherwise known as Blockchain.

FxWirePro: CBOE to bring in new norms to regulate Bitcoin futures price mechanism

CBOE, the predominant US derivatives exchange that provides Bitcoin futures contracts, announced the settlement of its XBT futures contract for April month expiry last Friday, this has been the fourth successful contract settlement piloted since its launch in December.

Swiss Post, modum collaborate on temperature-monitoring blockchain solution for shipments

Swiss national postal service is seeking to tap into the potential of blockchain technology for temperature-monitoring solution for shipments. Swiss Post is collaborating with modum.io, a Zurich-based blockchain startup, to deliver a blockchain solution that will help ensure regulatory compliance for shipments containing medicinal and other temperature-sensitive products.

Central Bank of Iran prohibits banks from using bitcoin

The Central Bank of Iran has officially banned the use of cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin in all monetary and financial centers of the country. Citing its reasons behind the ban, the CBI said that “various types of virtual currencies have the potential to become a tool for money laundering and the financing of terrorism…” (loosely translated).

Research Studies:

FxWirePro: Growing institutional interest drives positive sentiment and confidence in cryptocurrencies

Investments/Acquisitions/ Fund-raising:

South Korean gaming firm Nexon mulls to acquire Bitstamp bitcoin exchange: Report

Shenzhen government backs $80M blockchain investment fund

SBI Holdings invests in blockchain startup Templum

Partnerships/Consortiums:

Hyperledger blockchain project adds 13 new members

Blockchain startup ConsenSys joins Crypto Valley Association

Salesforce, Raiffeisen and others join Tapscott-led Blockchain Research Institute

SAUDI Telecom Company inks MoU with blockchain firm ConsenSys

National Bank of Egypt joins R3 blockchain consortium

Blockchain and Digital Currency Initiatives

Monex Group plans to go big on blockchain following Coincheck acquisition

Fonterra, Blackmores begin blockchain food supply chain trial with Alibaba

Five money transfer operators to tap Ripple’s xVia solution

TrustChain: IBM’s new blockchain initiative to track diamonds and precious metals

Japanese utility giant KEPCO to trial P2P energy trading with blockchain startup Power Ledger

BBVA closes €75M corporate loan deal using blockchain

Aion rolls out blockchain interoperability platform

Etherisc announces blockchain-based hurricane insurance policy in Puerto Rico

Messaging platform LINE plans own blockchain mainnet

Finastra’s blockchain solution for syndicated lending goes live on R3’ Corda

South Korea’s SK Telecom unveils blockchain business blueprint

Consulting firm E&Y to pilot blockchain audit technology

KAS BANK taps blockchain technology for shareholder voting

Amazon simplifies launching Ethereum and Hyperledger Fabric network via Blockchain Templates

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