CFTC grants cryptocurrency Swap Execution Facility registration to LedgerX

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has issued an Order of Registration to LedgerX, an institutional trading and clearing platform, granting it registration status with the CFTC as a Swap Execution Facility (SEF). Under the terms and conditions of the Order, LedgerX would be required to comply with all provisions of the CEA and all requirements in the CFTC’s regulations that are applicable to SEFs.

Russia to get blockchain competence center in September

Vnesheconombank, a Russian state corporation, along with Ethereum and Bitfury, are going to set up the first Russian competence center focusing on blockchain and distributed ledger technologies (DLTs), CoinFox reported. According to Russian News Agency TASS, Sergey Gorkov, chairman of Vnesheconobank, said that the bank has been already working with these partners. The center will be established in the Moscow Institute of Steel and Alloys. It will focus on exploring innovative technologies, developing platforms for their use in government organisations, and on training specialists.

South Korea preps regulatory framework for digital currencies – Report

In a bid to protect people from potential risks in cryptocurrency transactions, a South Korean lawmaker is drafting a set of bills to give cryptocurrencies legal grounds in the country, Korea Herald reported. In a statement, Rep. Park Yong-jin of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea said that he would introduce three revisions this month to build a regulatory framework for digital currencies such as bitcoin and Ethereum.

Illinois legislators advance bill to set up inter-governmental blockchain task force

Legislators in Illinois have advanced a bill that aims to create a task force that will explore the benefits accruing from a transition to a blockchain-based system for recordkeeping and service delivery for the local governments. House Resolution 120 passed with 98 votes last week, CoinDesk reported. It seeks to create the Illinois Legislative Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Task Force which will include representatives from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), the Cook County Recorder of Deeds and the Department of Innovation and Technology.

PBoC opens digital currency research institute in Beijing

The People’s Bank of China (PBoC) has revealed the details of its new research lab that focuses on cryptocurrencies and related technologies. The reports on the central bank’s plans to set up a research institute focusing on this emerging sector have been doing the rounds since the beginning of this year. Local media sources have reported that the PBoC Digital Currency Institute is located on the 9th floor of Building C, Desheng International Center – an office build complex near Beijing's financial district.

Germany gets blockchain advocacy group ‘Blockchain Bundesverband’

A new blockchain advocacy group has been formed in Germany which aims to bring private and public institutions together to connect with the innovative technology. Called “Blockchain Bundesverband”, the group was founded in the German parliament building, the Bundestag, in Berlin Thursday, CoinTelegraph reported. Notably, the group has a political advisory panel comprising of representatives from the country's major political parties including Thomas Jarzombek of the CDU and Jens Zimmermann of the SPD. In addition, representatives from Die Linke, Die Grünen, and FDP have also joined the initiative, according to CoinDesk.

Conferences/ Events:

ESMA Conference 2017 to focus on blockchain and financial innovation

Blockchain meets Internet of Things at IoT Solutions World Congress

‘State of Digital Money’ conference at Los Angeles on July 22 to focus on fintech and blockchain

WSBA’s 2nd annual Blockchain for Wall Street Education Day to hold in November

ICO-focused conference ‘CryptoFinancing’ to take place on July 07

Research studies

Frost & Sullivan identifies key players in healthcare blockchain market

Funding/Investments:

Crypto-market datafeeds platform Santiment raises $12M in two-stage crowdsale

openANX token sale closes early, raises over $18M

Coinsilium exits investment in blockchain-based nanopayments company SatoshiPay

Blockchain solution provider IntellectEU receives €2M investment from fintech entrepreneur Michel Akkermans

Consortium News, Partnerships and More:

22 new banks join SWIFT to validate blockchain POC for real-time nostro accounts reconciliation

BNP Paribas, SmartAngels develop blockchain platform for share registers

Commerzbank and Fraunhofer IML team up on blockchain-based trade finance research project

Deloitte, Waves Platform enter strategic partnership to offer customized blockchain solutions

bitFlyer, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance partner to offer compensation for failed virtual currency transactions

Digital Currency and Blockchain Initiatives:

IrisGuard integrates blockchain into payments platform to transform aid to refugees

'FundsDLT' facilitates first real blockchain transaction in Luxembourg fund industry

Bajaj Allianz General Insurance utilizes blockchain to fasten claims settlement process

Fintech firm Global Debt Registry completes blockchain proof-of-concept

University of Sydney researchers create new ‘Red Belly Blockchain’ technology

Blockchain startup Synereo rolls out content monetization platform ‘WildSpark’

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