The blockchain/crypto week at a glance

BitPay bigs up Bitcoin

Crypto payment service provider BitPay processed over $1 billion in transactions last year.

“Our B2B business continues to grow rapidly as our solution is cheaper and quicker than a bank wire from most regions of the world,” says Stephen Pair, Co-founder and CEO of BitPay. “To process over a $1 billion for a second year in a row despite Bitcoin’s large price drop shows that Bitcoin is being used to solve real pain points around the world.”

Huobi wants to be big in Japan

Crypto exchange Huobi has relaunched as a fully regulated platform in Japan after merging with BitTrade.

Inxeption announces investment from UPS Strategic Enterprise Fund

The investment arm of UPS has made an undisclosed equity investment in blockchain venture Inxeption.

Chronicled snags major funding

Blockchain-powered supply chain ecosystem provider, Chronicled, has raised $16 million in Series A funding. 

ConsenSys supports Newspack by WordPress

ConsenSys is backing a new platform for digital news startups.

Yes, sir, Bitfury can boogie

Bitfury Group has launched Bitfury Surround, which will design blockchain solutions to address challenges faced by artists and other stakeholders in the music industry, it announced in a Medium post.

IBM, Ford launch blockchain pilot

Ford Motor Company, Huayou Cobalt, IBM, LG Chem and RCS Global have announced plans to use blockchain technology to trace and validate ethically sourced minerals.

Totle secures $1m investment

Decentralised exchange aggregator Totle has closed a $1 million private funding round led by Arrington XRP, NEO Global Capital (NGC), and Goren Holm Ventures.

Blockchain gains pace as IoT security tool

Use of blockchain technology to help secure IoT data, services and devices is on the rise, a Gemalto study reveals.

HSBC banks on blockchain in 2018

HSBC last year settled $250 billion of forex trades using blockchain technology, the bank has told the Financial Times (FT).

Iberdrola tries out blockchain tech

Spain’s Iberdrola has started using blockchain to track renewable energy, Spanish independent news agency Europa Press reports.

Vontobel makes crypto custody move

Swiss private investment bank Vontobel has launched a crypto custody solution aimed at banks and asset managers, it announced in a press release.

Bitmain Technologies not up for going Dutch

China-based crypto mining giant Bitmain Technologies is closing its Amsterdam office.

“As we build a long-term, sustainable and scalable business, we are making adjustments to our staff and operations. This includes the decision to close our Amsterdam and Israel offices,” a company spokesperson said.

It’s just not cricket

The South African cricket board’s (OfficialCSA) official Twitter account was briefly compromised earlier this week, resulting in multiple tweets promoting a Bitcoin lottery, The Indian Express reports.