Sad that after the situation with Centra, most of Card related blockchain projects are in lack of inverstor's attention. Too difficult doing business when your progress very dependent from Visa or Mastercard decisions.

Cai Wensheng, an angel investor from China and chairman of photo retouching app provider Meitu, says he has achieved his goal of accruing 10,000 bitcoins.

In an open group Q&A session with tech entrepreneur Wang Feng on WeChat on Thursday, Cai disclosed that although he was holding a single bitcoin in January of this year, he moved to increase his portfolio over the first quarter of 2018 amid the bearish market's lower prices.

Soon after December's record high round $20,000, the price of bitcoin started dropping in January. It reached a low for the year so far below $6,000 in February, before climbing again to over $9,700 at press time. According to CoinDesk's Bitcoin Price Index, Cai's holdings are now worth around $96 million.

Cai explained his reasoning for the investment during the Q&A, saying:

"I only had single digit unit of bitcoin, just for fun in January. But when I got certain that bitcoin and blockchain is the future, I set the goal of holding 10,000 bitcoin. So I started around end of January to build my [holdings] following the price decline. The more it dropped, the more I bought in and now the mission is basically complete."

Born in the 1970s, Cai made his name and first fortune by investing in domain names during the internet bubble and expanded his investment portfolio over the next decade as an angel investor.

His current venture, Meitu, a popular photo retouching tool in China that claims to have over 90 million monthly active users, went public in Hong Kong in December 2016 with a valuation of $5 billion at the time.

Cai's disclosure makes him one of the few big-name investors in China to have openly disclosed their bitcoin holdings. It also comes at a time when Meitu is aiming to utilize blockchain technology to decentralize storage of users' data, according to a white paper published in January.

Source: https://www.coindesk.com/chinese-angel-investor-amassed-10000-bitcoins-amid-q1-price-slump/

Please do not insult me, you asked about new market, and i gave you an answer, this info is from official Helbiz telegram channel, i just shared it. I really did not know that this is a bad turkish market, but thanks for the info.

Helbiz is now live on www.Sistemkoin.com , the largest exchange in turkey with a strong european userbase. You can choose your native language in the right upper corner of the site.

Portugal’s parliament is set to discuss cryptocurrency payment regulations this week, with the goal of adopting a new legal framework for cryptocurrency payment services, while guaranteeing users’ safety using these services.

According to local news outlet Jornal de Negócios, applicable sanctions and the issuance of digital currencies – presumably initial coin offerings (ICOs) – will also be discussed. The government will reportedly discuss cryptocurrencies so new payment services can emerge in the market, while ensuring users can choose between safe, cost-effective options.

Per the Portuguese government, regulations will allow cryptocurrency-related services to expand within the country, which will benefit consumers by promoting competition, while ensuring safety and transparency in “the issuance of cryptocurrencies.”

The government argued (roughly translated):

“The regulation of certain aspects, not yet regulated, will allow for the expansion of new types of payment services, contributing to a legal framework to accommodate the innovation, to the benefit of consumers, and to even promote competition.”

The regulatory framework is set to apply “new rules to access payment accounts,” so as to prevent unjustified setbacks and ensure payments are safe. It’ll also introduce rules on managing operational risks, while offering service providers and ICO operators “complaint mechanisms.”

Per the somewhat vague information available, when it comes to dispute resolutions “payment service providers are obliged” to work with dispute resolution organizations over potential disputes. The government also plans on introducing “complaint mechanisms for payment service providers and for electronic money issuers, as well as for the respective supervisory authority. “.

As CCN recently covered, the European Parliament saw a majority agree to enforce closer regulation of cryptocurrencies, as an agreement with the European Council that proposed closer cryptocurrency regulations to prevent their abuse in money laundering and terrorism financing found the Parliament’s support

Portugal’s Securities Market Commission (CMVM) has in the past revealed it was supervising banks and brokerages toclose eye on the “bitcoin euphoria” that was sweeping the nation back in December 2017.

Hélder Rosalino, a director at Portugal´s central bank, Banco de Portugal, has back in November claimed he doesn’t see bitcoin as a currency, and that’s important that people know “a cryptocurrency isn’t a currency” to the financial institution. Last year, CCN reported Portuguese authorities were looking to tax cryptocurrency users, despite the lack of regulations.

Source: https://www.ccn.com/portuguese-parliament-to-discuss-cryptocurrency-payment-regulations/

Cryptocurrency hardware wallet manufacturer Tangem has begun the first rollout of its ‘Bitcoin banknotes’ to its pioneer market of Singapore.

‘CHEAP ENOUGH TO HAND OVER’

Tangem, which seeks to make cash-like transactions using cryptocurrency more familiar to entry-level consumers, plans to mass produce the notes in their “millions” by the end of 2018.

In Singapore, a jurisdiction famous for its encouraging regulatory stance on both cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, the notes will be on sale at the Suntec City branch of design store chain Megafash.

Coming in denominations of 0.01 and 0.05 BTC ($92 and $463 respectively), the ‘notes’ are in fact banknote-like hardware wallets using technology from Samsung, Tangem claiming their cost makes them cheap enough to use like actual cash.

“Tangem Notes radically improve the simplicity and security of acquiring, owning, and circulating cryptocurrencies for both sophisticated and incoming users,” an accompanying press release reads.

“Based on a recently developed S3D350A chip from Samsung Semiconductor, Tangem Note is the first… on the market with its entire electronics and cryptography certified to the Common Criteria EAL6+ and EMVCo security standards.”

See more: http://bitcoinist.com/singapore-bitcoin-banknotes-tangem/

Интересно, Helbiz намерены выпустить свой криптовалютный кошелек HelbizPay. Очень похоже на идею Pillar wallet, здесь тоже планируется отсылать крипту друзьям из списка контактов смартфона (технология будущего).

Обещают выпустить Летом 2018 для iOS & Android

https://medium.com/@HelbizOfficial/helbiz-pay-the-all-in-one-crypto-wallet-for-managing-acquiring-and-spending-3a20cfc576a4

Выходят регулярные обновления новостей, проект живой.

От 21 Апреля.

Подача заявки на патент: Еще в 2017 ГатКоин подали 2 заявки на патент технологии  A-Drop разброса токенов по геолокации. То есть технология будет запатентирована и никто не сможет ее испльзовать кроме Гаткоин.

Прогресс в разработке и наем сотрудников:

Происходит ребрендинг чтобы охватить большую аудиторию.

GAT System скоро выйдет в свет, над ней работают непрерывно. Штат разработчиков вскоре пополниться новыми инженерами. Больше информации в Мае.  

Cryptocurrencies are set to make a comeback on Reddit.

It is the largest community where cryptocurrency enthusiasts meet and discuss the technology. The Bitcoin subreddit has 816K subscribers, and Cryptocurrency subreddit has over 663K subscribers. But back in March, the platform disabled Bitcoin as a payment method for Reddit Gold after enabling it in February 2013.

Reddit had disabled Bitcoin as a payment method without prior notice, leaving customers with the option to pay using PayPal and Credit Card. But after the discovery made it to the first page of Bitcoin Subreddit, a Reddit admin responded to the removal. He claimed they had problems with Coinbase’s payment platform which led them to completely disabling the platform.

“Yup that’s right. The upcoming Coinbase change, combined with some bugs around the Bitcoin payment option that were affecting purchases for certain users, led us to remove Bitcoin as a payment option,” the admin said.

Coinbase had made changes to Coinbase Commerce which allowed merchants to accept Bitcoin Payment and the change required merchants to make a significant upgrade. Reddit chose not to make the upgrade, disabling Bitcoin as a payment method.

Christopher Slowe, the CTO of Reddit revealed that they are working towards bringing back Bitcoin payments on their platform in an interview with Cheddar. He confirmed that they did not have the time to work towards making the Coinbase upgrade because they were focused on the new Reddit Design.

When asked if they intend to accept Cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin, Slowe said:

“We have been looking at other Cryptocurrencies. We are looking at Ethereum and Litecoin that are provided by Coinbase as well”.

Bitcoin is set to come back on the platform, and this time around users will have more options like Ethereum and Litecoin to buy Reddit Gold. Slowe has not given a timeline on when Bitcoin will be back on the platform, but it is happening.

Source: https://www.ccn.com/reddit-to-re-enable-bitcoin-payments-along-with-ethereum-and-litecoin/

The Japanese financial regulator has confirmed that so far eight companies have expressed the intention to withdraw their applications to operate cryptocurrency exchanges. Meanwhile, about 100 more companies are seeking to enter the market.

FSA Confirms Eight Want Out

The Japanese Financial Services Agency (FSA) held a study group to discuss the state of cryptocurrencies in Japan last week.

Among observers of the meeting were representatives from the Bank of Japan, the Ministry of Justice, the Consumer Affairs Agency, and the Ministry of Finance. In addition, Taizen Okuyama, President of the newly formed self-regulatory organization and of foreign exchange platform provider Money Partners Group, was also present.

The agency confirmed that eight “deemed dealers” intend to withdraw their applications to operate cryptocurrency exchanges. Under the Revised Fund Settlement law, deemed dealers are allowed to operate crypto exchanges while their applications are being reviewed by the agency. The FSA wrote:

"Eight deemed virtual currency exchange companies announce the intention to withdraw registration applications…One company confirms that it does not fall under the virtual currency exchange industry as a result of grasping the actual situation in detail."

Seven of them will completely withdraw their applications – Tokyo Gateway, Mr. Exchange, Raimu, Bitexpress, Bit Station, Campfire, and Payward Japan which operates Kraken exchange. In addition, Debit will also withdraw its application as a deemed dealer as it does not fall under this classification, the FSA revealed.

Furthermore, the agency confirmed that approximately 100 companies have declared their intention to enter the crypto space, stating that “Various companies intend to newly enter [the crypto space] (About 100 companies).”

See more: https://news.bitcoin.com/japanese-regulator-confirms-crypto-exchanges/

Отличная информация, большое спасибо.
Helbiz должен выйти на стадию бета тестирования в Мае, надеюсь что продавливаний цены ниже уже не будет.

Происхождение китов остается непонятным, кто то написал в телеграм, что 3 самых больших держателя токенов раскидали монеты на несколько адресов, которые в свою очередь продают на idex.

Команда видела эти снимки etherscann, сказали что изучат. Результат их расследования - нЕкто сливает токены, так как не верит в проект. Основатель Salvatore Palella считает слив на ранней стадии формой мазохизма, и всячески отрицает участие кого то из сотрудников.

Этот непонятный кит держит у себя еще 17 млн. монет, и как мне кажется, при каждом новом ценовом уровне может кошмарить.

https://etherscan.io/txs?a=0x789c19ef373353e445165f26ca948939d64e3208&p=2

Welcome to 2018 and a children's book that teaches us how to find our place in the world... using the blockchain.

At around 7 p.m. every night you can catch me reading bedtime stories for my two children. On current rotation: Dave's Cave, a weird Avengers book and a million bedtime stories about dinosaurs.

But those books can go straight in the trash because finally -- finally -- someone has written a children's story about the blockchain.

Meet Blocky.



Blocky is the main character in A Place in the Blockchain, a children's story designed to explain blockchain and bitcoin technology to kids. It's the creation of Brett Biery, a software developer and blockchain enthusiast.

You can download it for free on Amazon.



From the book's Amazon page:

"A Place in the Blockchain is a picture book for children about a character named "Blocky" struggling to find it's place in the blockchain. Blocky's adventure to discover his place in the blockchain covers many of the same emotions childrens will experience as they deal with their own adventures of fitting in at school and with friends. In the end Blocky is able to find his place. "

According to Biery's Reddit post A Place in the Blockchain is meant to be "a fun tribute to the technology" that helps explain blockchain technology using words children will understand.

https://www.cnet.com/news/someone-wrote-a-kids-book-to-explain-bitcoin-and-blockchain/

Their telegram community comprises only only 3500 members. But looks like most of them are already disappointed with the product. Managers are not active in spreading information,  and ordinary members from the other side do not see no point to ask questions.

I guess eSports project is on deep freeze.(

Жаль что на официальном  новостном канале telegram PayPie отключены обсуждения и комментарии, где модераторы могли бы ответить на вопросы новых и старых инвесторов.

Надеюсь что новая биржа с большими объемами не за горами, PayPie пол года в работе, а эта тема не решалась.

Bitcoin futures volume reached an all-time high on Wednesday, peaking near a combined $670 million between regulated US exchanges CME and CBOE.

On Chicago exchange CME, traders exchange more than 11,000 contracts, worth an equivalent 56,010 BTC. According to CME’s Bitcoin Reference Rate (BRR) for April 25, those contracts equate to more than $497 million in single-day volume. Of course, the actual dollar value of those contracts most likely diverged from that figure slightly, as prices fluctuated throughout the trading session.

This means that on Wednesday, CME ranked as one of the world’s 10 largest cryptocurrency exchanges — larger than many spot trading platforms that offer a significant number of altcoin trading pairs.

It’s particularly remarkable considering that, unlike spot exchanges that operate around the clock, CME only offers trading during specific business hours.

The exchange also noted that average daily volume has increased by 250 percent since it listed its Bitcoin futures product in December, indicating that the spike is more than just a single-day fluke. April’s average daily volume is 3,716 contracts, equivalent to 18,580 BTC. That’s a 44 percent increase since March.

This rapid increase in trading volume has not been isolated to CME.

Fellow Chicago-based exchange CBOE — the first regulated US platform to list Bitcoin futures — saw 19,000 contracts (each worth 1 BTC) traded on its platform on Wednesday, which works out to roughly $168 million according to the BRR. This was not only a record for CBOE but was also triple the exchange’s average daily volume for this product.

Significantly, CBOE noted that this record volume correlated with neither a contract expiration date nor exceptional price volatility, as previous volume spikes have been.

Futures are primarily (though not exclusively) traded by institutional investors, so rising volumes for these products could be an indication that institutions are beginning to take a more active role in the cryptoasset space.

Abra CEO Bill Barhydt recently said that “all hell will break loose” once institutional investors begin to allocate meaningful capital to investments in the industry, and numerous insiders believe their presence will drive the Bitcoin price to record levels.

Source: https://www.ccn.com/670-million-bitcoin-futures-post-record-daily-volume-as-market-recovers/

I`m also confused about this price slump. What was the point to sell high valuable asset for free.

Maybe it was HBZ leak from the exchanges, or cyber attack on this brand new exchanges.

Most of all i am concerned about possible penetration into HBZ contract. Had this contract been changed in "value" parameter? Hopefully it is bulletproof.

https://medium.com/@crypterium/three-reasons-why-crpt-is-safer-than-at-least-a-dozen-erc-20-tokens-9de89e32aeca

Очень интересная статья про защищенность смарт контракта Crypterium и написано довольно технично, без воды.

Если коротко, уязвимость некоторых erc20 контрактов в том что там присутствует параметр _value, где можно подменить количество сгенерированных токенов. Crypterium заявляет что у них нет такой строки добавления, зато есть вычитание, сгорание токенов: каждый раз после транзакции, некоторое количество CRPT подлежит сгоранию.

Кроме того их контракт прошел аудит независимых блокчейн компаний PeckShield и Ambisafe.

Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba is trialling a blockchain platform for supply chain tracking in bid to prevent food fraud.

The new pilot program will use the blockchain-based Food Trust Framework to track international shipments to China from Australian healthcare supply firm Blackmores and New Zealand dairy product maker Fonterra via Alibaba's T-Mall e-commerce arm, according to a ZDNet report Friday.

The pilot's launch follows the platform's year-long technological development since Alibaba Australia first announced a partnership with PwC and Blackmores in March 2017 to tackle the spread of counterfeit products.

Touting supply chain transparency as a primary benefit of the framework, Alibaba said the pilot - if successful - could lead to wider adoption across the supply chains for its global markets.

The exploration marks Alibaba's latest move to harness blockchain's potential in the fight against food fraud - criminal activity that the company estimates costs the global food industry $40 billion each year, the report said.

Alibaba's T-Mall platform has already started to adopt blockchain technology in partnership with logistics firm Cainiao in its cross-border supply chains.

As previously reported by CoinDesk, the partnership records a variety of data about goods in transport on a tamper-proof blockchain network including country of origin, shipping port and method, arrival port and customs report details.

Source: https://www.coindesk.com/alibaba-launches-blockchain-trial-in-fight-against-food-fraud/

Thank you for IDEX, this is a really convenient platform, but i`m disappointed with bitlish and coinhub, these exchanges are fresh new, without strong traders community. Current price dump has happened partially because of this empty exchanges.  

Nasdaq CEO Says Company ‘Open’ To Becoming Crypto Trading Platform When Market Matures

The CEO of Nasdaq said that the stock market could become a platform for trading cryptocurrencies in the future, if the market becomes more regulated, CNBC’s Squawk Box  reports Wednesday, April 25.

Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman said during an interview that “certainly Nasdaq would considering become a crypto exchange over time.” Friedman believes that cryptocurrencies “will continue to persist,” the only caveat being the amount of time it will take for the crypto sphere to mature. Once that kind of institutional regulations set in, according to Friedman, Nasdaq can say:

“‘It's time, people are ready for a more regulated market, for something that provides a fair experience for investors."

Nasdaq has already entered the crypto sphere, as earlier today the stock exchange and the Gemini crypto exchange owned by tech investors the Winklevoss twins announced a partnership. Gemini will be able to use the Nasdaq’s SMARTS Market Surveillance Technology to alert the exchange to suspicious trade behavior, potentially preventing market manipulation.

Friedman also told NBC that she considers Initial Coin Offerings (ICO) to be securities, a point much debated in the crypto world:

"ICOs need to be regulated. The SEC is right that those are securities and need to be regulated as such.”

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) launched a cryptocurrency probe earlier this year. The SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) had also held a cryptocurrency hearing that concluded that while ICOs needed stricter regulations, cryptocurrencies needed smart policies to promote innovation.

Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/nasdaq-ceo-says-company-open-to-becoming-crypto-trading-platform-when-market-matures