PR Wire

Deglobalization and Other Narrative Violations, Feat. Geoff Lewis
PR Wire

Deglobalization and Other Narrative Violations, Feat. Geoff Lewis

In a world where conventional wisdom has never been more up for grabs, one VC explains why there is opportunity in alternative narratives. The battle to control narratives is the battle to shape how people understand the world around them. But the traditional gatekeepers of narratives – the media – have never had more competition to shape what is perceived as truth.  In this episode, NLW speaks with Bedrock Capital founder Geoff Lewis about what it means to seek out opportunities in “narrative violations.” They also discuss:  Disclosure Read More The leader in blockchain news, CoinDesk is a media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk is an independent operating subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which invest...
Market Wrap: Bitcoin Can’t Stick to $9,000 While Stocks Rally
PR Wire

Market Wrap: Bitcoin Can’t Stick to $9,000 While Stocks Rally

The equities markets far outpaced cryptocurrencies Tuesday on optimism that economic restrictions put in place to help slow the spread of the coronavirus are easing. Bitcoin (BTC) poked its head above the $9,000 level briefly during morning trading in New York but fell to below $8,700 on selling. As of 20:35 UTC (4:35 p.m. ET), bitcoin was trading at $8,846, a loss of 1% over 24 hours.  The largest cryptocurrency by market cap is currently trading below its 10-day and 50-day technical indicator moving averages, a signal of bearish sentiment.  “Bitcoin failed to break higher and has been bouncing off support in the $8,700 region,” said Max Boonen, CEO of cryptocurrency liquidity provider B2C2. Bitcoin trading on Coinbase since May 24Source: TradingViewWhile bitcoin has been trending lower, ...
Samsung Launches New Secure Element Chip to Enhance Data Protection for Crypto Transactions
PR Wire

Samsung Launches New Secure Element Chip to Enhance Data Protection for Crypto Transactions

  South Korean tech giant Samsung has announced a new revolutionary turnkey security solution to secure cryptocurrency transactions on its smartphones and tablets.   Cryptocurrency transactions are one of the primary purposes of Samsung’s new Secure Element chip, which is expected to be available in Q3 2020.    The solution involves a Secure Element (SE) chip S3FV9RR, which is Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level (CC EAL) 6+ certified. The new SE chip along with enhanced software is designed to offer higher protection for tasks including booting, isolated storage, mobile payment, and other applications.    Dongho Shin, the senior vice president of System LSI marketing at Samsung Electronics said, “In this era of mobility and contact-less interactions, we expect our connected devices,...
Private Firms Can Boost Central Bank Digital Currencies, IMF Official Says
PR Wire

Private Firms Can Boost Central Bank Digital Currencies, IMF Official Says

A senior figure at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) believes a digital currency backed by a central bank would open the door to much greater innovation in retail payments. Tommaso Mancini-Griffoli, the IMF’s deputy division chief in the Monetary and Capital Markets Department, said synthetic CBDCs – digital currencies backed by the liabilities of a central bank, but issued with the aid of a private entity – could provide citizens with a reliable means of payment that simultaneously leverage some of the key competitive advantages of the private sector. A synthetic CBDC as outlined by Mancini-Griffoli is pretty much a public-private partnership. The idea is a licensed eMoney provider stores client funds in a central bank and, in return, receives a central bank liability they can package...
Facebook Calibra Digital Wallet Gets a New Name – Novi
PR Wire

Facebook Calibra Digital Wallet Gets a New Name – Novi

What is Novi?   Facebook has renamed its digital wallet, Calibra, as Novi. Calibra was the digital wallet that the social media giant has been building to access Libra digital currencies.      In a blog post, the company explained that the new name was inspired by the Latin words “novus” and “via,” meaning “new” and “way.” The digital wallet company, a subsidiary under Facebook will now be named Novi Financial.   As previously reported by Blockchain.News, Libra has abandoned its original plan of a widely accessible permissionless digital currency aimed to solve financial inclusion issues, due to ongoing regulatory backlash.    Libra was seen as a controversial project, especially in the eyes of regulators. Libra has then applied for a payment system license from the Swiss Financial Market...
Blockchain Bites: Facebook’s Calibra Facelift and Tencent’s ‘New Infrastructure’ Investments
PR Wire

Blockchain Bites: Facebook’s Calibra Facelift and Tencent’s ‘New Infrastructure’ Investments

We’re happy to be back after a recharging long weekend. Let’s get to the news. India’s central bank has clarified its crypto stance, Tencent is looking to invest in “emerging technologies” including blockchain and Facebook’s digital wallet subsidiary announced a rebranding and new details. You’re reading Blockchain Bites, the daily roundup of the most pivotal stories in blockchain and crypto news, and why they’re significant. You can subscribe to this and all of CoinDesk’s newsletters here.  Top ShelfLibra’s New FaceA statement announcing the rebranding of Facebook subsidiary Calibra to Novi also reveals details of the anticipated wallet product. The Novi wallet will operate as a standalone app, as well as provide interoperability with Facebook’s social messaging apps Messenger and WhatsA...
Argentina Orders Stricter Monitoring on Local Crypto Transactions Amid Battling the Flight of Devalued Pesos
PR Wire

Argentina Orders Stricter Monitoring on Local Crypto Transactions Amid Battling the Flight of Devalued Pesos

Argentina’s Financial Information Unit (FIU) has ordered stricter controls and monitoring into cryptocurrency transactions in the country to eradicate money laundering and other illicit activities.      Argentine newspaper El Cronista reported that the FIU, a government agency that is responsible for enforcing anti-money laundering laws and compliance, is looking to tighten its controls on cryptocurrency trading.    President of the Financial Information Unit, Carlos Alberto Cruz said, “In recent times, we have seen an increase in operations carried out through virtual assets.” He added that these transactions could be “carried out by people who intend to circumvent international standards and avoid the anti-money laundering system.”   The announcement by the FIU comes at a time when Arge...
First Mover: Bitcoin Could Get a Boost From Central Bank Digital Currencies
PR Wire

First Mover: Bitcoin Could Get a Boost From Central Bank Digital Currencies

Bitcoin prices are caught in a downdraft, after a series of rallies in recent weeks that repeatedly fizzled out at the $10,000 mark.  “There is no clear understanding where bitcoin will go,” Yuriy Mazur, head of data analytics at cryptocurrency exchange CEX.IO told CoinDesk’s Omkar Godbole. “It may either retrace back to $6,500 or reach $10,000.” You’re reading First Mover, CoinDesk’s daily markets newsletter. Assembled by the CoinDesk Markets Team, First Mover starts your day with the most up-to-date sentiment around crypto markets, which of course never close, putting in context every wild swing in bitcoin and more. We follow the money so you don’t have to. You can subscribe here. Source: TradingViewWith the near-term picture cloudy, some analysts are focusing on a longer-term trend that...
Louisiana State Congress Unanimously Pass Crypto-Business Licensing Bill
PR Wire

Louisiana State Congress Unanimously Pass Crypto-Business Licensing Bill

Crypto businesses may soon be offered a regulated path to legalization in the state of Louisiana. The state of Louisiana may soon pass a bill, that was filed earlier this year and will allow crypto-businesses to operate legally under a state license. The proposed bill has been backed by Louisiana state representative Mark Weight. Should the bill be passed, the state would have a regulated crypto framework to operate within and would provide an official definition of traditionally ambiguous cryptocurrency-related terms. Unanimous Approval The crypto-license bill was unanimously approved in Louisiana’s House of Representatives last week. A positive sign for potential cryptocurrency providers, but it will now have to pass through the State Senate, and then to the Committee on Commerce, Consu...
Bitcoin Bounce Stalls at $9K Amid 2% Rise in S&P 500 Futures
PR Wire

Bitcoin Bounce Stalls at $9K Amid 2% Rise in S&P 500 Futures

Bitcoin moved back over $9,000 earlier on Tuesday alongside signs of an improved risk appetite in the traditional markets.  Prices rose to a high of $9,010 at 08:05 UTC, but quickly fell back below $8,900, pouring cold water over excitement generated by Monday’s 2.3% bounce from the two-week low of $8,630.  At press time, the number one cryptocurrency by market value is changing hands near $8,860, according to CoinDesk’s Bitcoin Price Index.  Meanwhile, the futures tied to the S&P 500, Wall Street’s equity index, are reporting over 2% gains Tuesday. Major European equity indexes are flashing green, too, with the U.K.’s FTSE index leading the way with a 1.33% gain, as per Investing.com. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude, North America’s oil benchmark, has so far scored a 2.4% gain on ...