The Central Bank of Colombia has announced its involvement in the first blockchain bond pilot program in the country, with the participation of the Interamerican Development Bank (IDB) and Davivienda, a private commercial bank. The proof of concept will use the Lacchain blockchain platform developed by the IDB, which will handle the operative part of the issuance. Central Bank of Colombia Joins Blockchain Bond Pilot Program The Central Bank of Colombia has announced its participation in the first blockchain bond program in the country. Issued by Davivienda, one of the most important commercial banks in Colombia, and with counseling from the Interamerican Development Bank (IDB), this pilot program seeks to explore the benefits of the new technology and study its application for the next bond issuances. According… [Read More...]

Following a report from John McAfee’s biographer, the former antivirus tycoon’s widow Janice McAfee has taken to social media to disclose a number of findings. During the first week of July, McAfee published a note that said there was “no sense of urgency” toward the investigation into John’s death by Spanish authorities. A week later, Janice McAfee shared the alleged suicide note “found in John’s pocket” and she believes it “does not sound anything like someone who has no hope and is contemplating ending their life.” Janice McAfee Questions Suicide Narrative Janice McAfee, the widow of the famous software mogul John McAfee, is very skeptical of her husband’s ostensible suicide. She has published a series of tweets that suggest she doesn’t believe the suicide story and… [Read More...]

A new museum dedicated to the history of bitcoin mining opened its doors in Venezuela last weekend. The institution will allow visitors to learn about the history of cryptocurrency mining, going from its roots to the current state of the mining industry. The museum is part of a private initiative started by Criptoavila, a mining-dedicated company. Museum of Bitcoin Mining History Debuts in Venezuela A newly created Museum of Bitcoin Mining History opened its doors to the public in Venezuela last weekend. The new initiative pushed by Criptoavila, a private company whose members have nine years of experience in the mining business, aims to introduce people to the world of bitcoin mining. The museum, which is located in Caracas, will be open to all audiences and… [Read More...]

This week the Italian luxury fashion house founded in 1985 in Legnano by Italian designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana has announced the firm is launching a non-fungible token (NFT) collection. Dolce & Gabbana also known as D&G will reveal the first-ever Alta Moda NFT collection called “DGGenesi.” D&G to Reveal Alta Moda-Inspired NFT Collection Well known name brands have invaded the crypto space in order to join the non-fungible token (NFT) revolution. Brands like Topps, Warner Bros., UFC, DeLorean Motor Company, Playboy, MLB, TIME, and USA Today have all entered this new industry. On July 14, the popular fashion brand and Italian luxury fashion house Dolce & Gabbana explained that it too was joining the NFT craze. D&G has a… [Read More...]

The infamous meme-based crypto asset dogecoin has had an incredible 12 months, rising more than 5,578% against the U.S. dollar. Dogecoin also ignited significant demand for a number of canine-themed cryptocurrencies this year as billions of dollars have funneled into these meme-coin economies. However, in recent times the original dogecoin has faltered, and over the last three months has shed 46.24% of its value. Despite Being Down 76% Since the Meme Token’s All-Time High, 12-Month Stats Show Dogecoin Is Still up Over 5,000% For many years, dogecoin (DOGE) spent its life trading below a U.S. penny — from 2014 all the way until January 2021. But much to the co-creator of dogecoin’s dismay, DOGE has surged in value during the last year against… [Read More...]

Reports from South Africa suggest that tax authorities have plugged a loophole on the online tax filing system that enabled crypto arbitrage traders to make several purchases on overseas cryptocurrency platforms using just one approval. As a consequence of these tweaks, crypto arbitrage traders are now forced to make a new application each they need to place an order. In addition, this change also effectively rules out daily arbitrage trades. Loophole Plugged As the publication Moneyweb’s report explains, some South African crypto traders have been known to “profit from differences in the prices of crypto assets on local and overseas exchanges.” The price differences have ranged between zero and three percent in recent months. However, according to the report, South African crypto traders can exploit such… [Read More...]

The working group involved with the research and development of the digital yuan for the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) has published a paper describing the digital currency’s progress. The PBOC initiated a task force dedicated to the creation of a digital yuan in 2014, and the recently published document is the project’s first white paper released in seven years. China’s Digital Yuan Is No Different Than Physical RMB After the creation of Bitcoin and a few years after the cryptocurrency economy started getting recognized, the PBOC was one of the first central banks to introduce the idea of creating a central bank digital currency (CBDC). China’s central bank has recently allowed the digital currency working group to publish a white paper that details the CBDC’s current progress… [Read More...]

The U.S. has sentenced a creator of video streaming and downloading websites to prison for 12 months and one day. The feds also seized $3.9 million from him, including more than $1 million in cryptocurrency. Man Sentenced to Jail for Copyright Infringement and Tax Evasion, His Cryptocurrency Seized The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Friday that Talon White from Newport, Oregon, has been “sentenced to federal prison for creating illegal video streaming and downloading websites.” The DOJ further described that the 31-year-old built the websites to “illegally distribute thousands of copyright-protected movies and television shows and evading taxes on the profits of his illicit endeavor.” The case started when investigators received information in October 2013 regarding numerous illegal websites linked to White… [Read More...]

The parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has joined the list of African organizations that have cautioned against the use of cryptocurrencies. In its warning to West Africa crypto users, the legislative body insists these digital assets are too volatile and as such “their use on the African continent is not without dangers.” Refusing to Accept Crypto Not a Violation of Legal Provisions According to a report, this parliamentary warning came after the joint committee meeting that was held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The meeting, according to the report, had been convened to explore “the prospects of cryptocurrencies as a facilitator for investment.” However, following the meeting that was also attended by “cryptocurrency experts and resource persons,” the joint committee… [Read More...]

The Chinese government is taking its digital yuan test one step further. Now, 10 million users will be able to test and use the currency after applying to join a whitelist in selected state banks. This new phase of the test aims to detect possible problems in a more broad testing environment. China is preparing its user base and its digital yuan technology to be used in the upcoming 2022 Winter Olympics. Digital Yuan Whitelist Open The government of China is expanding the testing of its CDBC. According to reports from an officer of the People’s Bank of China, it opened a whitelist to further experiment with the digital yuan. Citizens interested in being part of this initiative can request their inclusion in this new trial phase at selected… [Read More...]

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has named “cybercrime, including relevant cybersecurity and virtual currency considerations” a national priority. In particular, the Treasury is concerned about the “misuse of virtual assets that exploits and undermines their innovative potential, including through laundering of illicit proceeds.” FinCEN, a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, published its “Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism National Priorities” last week. One of the priorities listed is “cybercrime, including relevant cybersecurity and virtual currency considerations.” The document details: Treasury is particularly concerned about cyber-enabled financial crime, ransomware attacks, and the misuse of virtual assets that exploits and undermines their innovative potential, including through laundering of illicit proceeds. The document adds that “Countering ransomware has been… [Read More...]

On Friday, the bitcoin mining operation Greenidge Generation Holdings announced the company is expanding to South Carolina in order to develop the firm’s next bitcoin mining facility. Greenidge details that the carbon-neutral Spartanburg facility will be ready in 2021 or early 2022. Bitcoin Miner Greenidge Generation Plans to Expand to South Carolina Spartanburg, South Carolina, the 12th most populous city in the state will be home to bitcoin miners by Q4 2021 or Q1 2022, according to Greenidge Generation Holdings. The Dresden, N.Y.-based firm signed a letter of intent with LSC Communications that says Greenidge aims to expand its bitcoin mining operations to a property owned by the Atlas Holdings’ portfolio company LSC. The terms of the deal will begin with a ten-year lease of a retired… [Read More...]