Bad news for ConsenSys employees
Major layoffs are coming to ConsenSys, according to The Verge.
The company’s founder, Joseph Lubin, was quick, however, to dismiss the report.
What I've witnessed among the chattering class the past few weeks in response to @ConsenSys 2.0 is a rather typical tune: the alarmed, the eulogistic, and the gleeful.
— Joseph Lubin (@ethereumJoseph) December 21, 2018
Layer1 lands seed funding from Peter Thiel, Digital Currency Group
Venture capitalist and PayPal Co-Founder Peter Thiel and Digital Currency Group have invested in cryptocurrency investment and infrastructure platform Layer1.
“We believe there is huge potential for a hands-on, mission-driven investor to take a concentrated position in a single cryptocurrency, and then dedicate talent and resources to significantly accelerate its development,” said Travis Scher, VP Investments at Digital Currency Group.
Facebook working on stablecoin/Whatsapp project
Facebook is developing a stablecoin that will let users transfer money on its WhatsApp messaging app, focusing first on the remittances market in India, Bloomberg reports.
If Facebook launches the stablecoin they are reportedly building, it will quickly become the most used product in crypto.
WhatsApp has over 200,000,000 users in India alone.
The Indian government has been fighting crypto too so things are about to get very, very interesting…
— Pomp 🌪 (@APompliano) December 21, 2018
Coinbase is a crypto record breaker
Coinbase is laying claim to the largest cryptocurrency migration on record. Further details in this blog post.
The next chapter for Civil
Blockchain-based journalism network Civil, which saw its CVL token sale fail this year, is set to launch in February, it announced in a Medium post.
UK tax collector releases ‘Cryptoassets for individuals’ policy paper
HM Revenue & Customs has set out its view on how individuals who have cryptoassets are taxed.
Tim Draper throws weight behind OpenNode
Bitcoin payments platform OpenNode has completed a seed investment round with American venture capitalist Tim Draper and Draper Associates.
“With their backing, we plan to scale the team, build our network, and ultimately, push for hyperbitcoinisation,” it says in a Medium post.
We’ve been busy, but we’re ready for Show & Tell⚡️l
Along with a whole new look and feel, we’re proud to announce that we have closed our Seed Investment Round with an Investment from Tim Draper and the Draper Associates. https://t.co/2DfAwAGmZk— OpenNode ⚡️ (@OpenNode) December 18, 2018
Atari announces blockchain partnership
Atari has teamed up with Animoca Brands to make blockchain versions of its games RollerCoaster Tycoon Touch and Goon Squad, it announced this week.
Blythe Masters no longer Digital Asset CEO
Blythe Masters has stepped down as CEO of blockchain startup Digital Asset for personal reasons.
She will remain involved in the company as a board member, strategic advisor and shareholder. AG Gangadhar, who joined the company’s Board of Directors in April, has been appointed the Board Chairman and will serve as the acting CEO until a permanent CEO is named.
Masters commented: “Digital Asset has evolved from an ambitious idea to a truly global software engineering firm. We are fortunate to have a deep bench of accomplished executives on the management team and Board, including AG, who have the requisite experience to take the company to the next level. Having come to know and trust AG as an advisor and Board member, I am convinced that he brings what’s needed to guide the company through its next phase.”
I wonder how history will remember her.
"The woman who invented financial weapons of mass destruction" (credit default swaps) – The Guardian
or
"The woman who was all about the blockchain" – Bloomberg
— Eric Wall | OP_😺 (@ercwl) December 19, 2018
KfW takes blockchain application TruBudget for a spin
German state-owned bank KfW and Burkina Faso’s Ministry of Finance are testing out a blockchain solution for use in the management of public finances, according to a statement posted this week.
UBF explores blockchain adoption by banks
The advisory council of the UAE Banks Federation (UBF) has discussed the adoption of blockchain to enhance know your customer (KYC) processes at banks, Gulf News reports.
Coinbase starts Convert roll-out
Coinbase has launched its new Convert service.
Starting today, you can convert one crypto to another on Coinbase. Conversions are available between Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), Ethereum Classic (ETC), Litecoin (LTC), 0x (ZRX), or Bitcoin Cash (BCH).
It's Day 8 of 12 Days of Coinbase. Learn more: https://t.co/VshJf7FOMZ pic.twitter.com/wLyJPfkKcA— Coinbase 🛡️ (@coinbase) December 17, 2018
Tagomi Holdings begins trading
Tagomi, pitched as the first live electronic brokerage offering prime services for sophisticated investors of Bitcoin, Ether and other digital assets, has launched. The venture is backed by PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel.
“Cryptocurrency trading lacks the transparency and sophisticated execution that top family offices and wealth management firms have come to expect. I’m excited to see an ambitious team with the right experience in finance and technology fix this, creating a solution we trust,” said Joe Lonsdale, Founder of Palantir and Addepar.
GSR Capital chooses tZERO for commodity contract token
Hong Kong-based private equity firm GSR Capital has contracted Overstock subsidiary tZERO to develop a smart contract token that will be utilised for an upcoming sale of cobalt. Further details here.
Man falls into coma for nine seconds, checks Bitcoin price upon waking up
https://twitter.com/bitconch/status/1074352862816219137
Could Hong Kong crypto rules move backfire?
Hong Kong is set to tighten regulations on cryptocurrencies, with plans to put exchanges, traders and other related companies under the oversight of the Securities and Futures Commission. But this may prove too burdensome for some operators, according to Timothy Loh, who manages a law firm in the territory.
Egypt: central bank considers digital currency move
Egypt’s central bank is conducting feasibility studies into the issuance of a digital currency, its sub governor Ayman Hussein said at a conference in Abu Dhabi.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author should not be considered as financial advice. We do not give advice on financial products.