Switching to the Satoshi standard and Lightning Network connectivity makes Bitcoin more tangible and easy to use. AAX has made the first move in the crypto space, already providing BTC to SAT
Crypto exchange Binance temporarily suspends payments from EU’s SEPA network
The email said that from 8 a.m. universal coordinated time on Wednesday, customers would no longer be able to deposit funds through the Single Euro Payments Area, or SEPA, schemes. The move was due to “events beyond our control”, the exchange said in the email.
“Any deposits attempted via SEPA in the meantime will be returned within 7 working days. SEPA withdrawals are unaffected by this suspension”, Binance said.
The network, which is a European Union project that aims to harmonise euro payments across the region, allows consumers to send euros across three dozen countries. Binance typically accesses SEPA through payment intermediaries.
Binance has recently faced a string of crackdowns on the platform by regulators globally.
Thailand’s financial watchdog filed a criminal complaint against the cryptocurrency exchange on Friday for operating a digital asset business without a licence, and Britain’s financial watchdog recently barred the company from carrying out regulated activities in the country. read more
Japan’s regulator said last month that Binance was operating in the country illegally. Germany’s watchdog said in April it risked being fined for offering tokens connected to stocks.
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Finsight.news – This week in review 04.07
LiveWatch the shortlist of the top global headlines that dominated the fintech, blockchain and cryptocurrency news space this week.
Biteeu Set to Become the World’s First Space-based Digital Currency Exchange for Ultra-secure Transactions
LiveBiteeu announced the successful launch of its digital security infrastructure into space onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket under the rideshare program. The space node created for Biteeu by space-as-a-service solution provider and partner SpaceChain is installed on a YAM-2 satellite carried by the rocket. The mission was made possible by satellite operator Loft Orbital.
This marks Biteeu as the first cryptocurrency exchange in the world to leverage the high security of space-grade infrastructure for ultra-secure Bitcoin cryptocurrency transactions, and having its public satellite key backed up on a space node.
Biteeu has obtained the ISO 27001 certification which validates the exchange meets global best practices for its information security management system. Today’s announcement further reinforces the exchange’s commitment to ensuring ultra-secure user privacy with cutting-edge technology.
Once activated, the space node will be capable of processing mutlisignature Bitcoin transactions. Multisignature technology requires more than one private key in order to authorize a bitcoin transaction from a crypto-wallet address, rendering the transaction more secure than standard single-signature methods.
Various security mechanisms held by the Biteeu space node, including the latency in communication between the ground stations and satellites of up to 12 hours, prevent cyber fraud and theft as hackers are unable to move digital assets out quickly.
The added remoteness in space, together with the offline end-to-end encrypted satellite communication and the public key stored on the satellite, greatly enhances the security of data and transactions, which can be vulnerable to cyberattacks and hacking if hosted solely on physical Earth-based servers.
“As digital currency becomes a driver in the new age of global commerce, we are seeing limitations of land-based infrastructure with growing security concerns that impede users from realizing the full benefit of cryptocurrencies,” said Shukhrat Ibragimov, Biteeu co-founder and chairman. “By integrating innovative, decentralized space-based technology, we are able to address security vulnerabilities and continuously build the confidence of institutional and retail traders in managing their funds with the best trading experience.”
Hardware and software tests are expected to be completed by November 2021. Upon completion, Biteeu users will be able to authorize Bitcoin multisignature transactions in space through the multisignature wallet.
The on-orbit satellite network architecture migration is poised to fortify Biteeu as one of the most secure virtual currency exchanges in the world that places user privacy and security as of the utmost importance. Biteeu is operated and managed by Eurasian Space Ventures (ESV), a private company registered in Kazakhstan which aims to serve as an international hub for space projects and related organizations looking to capitalize on the well-established space infrastructure and ecosystem in the country.
ESV and SpaceChain have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for ongoing collaboration and developing joint projects in the field of space technologies over a period of two years.
“The establishment of Biteeu’s multisignature transaction in space encapsulates our continuous effort in upholding the highest levels of data protection for our users and raising the benchmark of security standards in the cryptocurrency market,” said Talgat Dossanov, Biteeu co-founder and CEO. “We are at the forefront of this financial innovation and we look forward to enabling our global users with a more secure, robust platform that can be accessed from virtually anywhere.”
Users who sign up with Biteeu with a promo code spacebiteeu2021 will receive a certificate with a serial number that validates that their names and cryptocurrency wallets have been added to the space project and sent securely to the Biteeu space node on orbit.
Digital Wealth Manager FinaMaze rolls out two new investment themes: Cryptocurrency and “Inflation Protection”
LiveFinaMaze, the MENA Digital Wealth Manager, launches two new Opportunistic investment themes: Cryptocurrency and “Inflation Protection”. These new themes complement the successful suite of the recently released China “Dragon Tech Leaders” and “Covid-related” smartfolios, on top of its more traditional cross asset class and generalist smartfolios .
Responding to the market demand in the cryptocurrency space for stabilized daily performances, FinaMaze extends its risk-calibrating engine to offer unique alternative strategies: the Diversified Crypto Basket, the Mix Crypto/ Blockchain companies, the Market Neutral (Long Altcoins versus Short Bitcoin) and the Contrarian (short) Bitcoin.
“We are getting positive feedback from both the crypto-expert investors and the newcomers. They both value the personalised risk-controls as well as the diversity of the crypto portfolios. FinaMaze Cryptofolios are less volatile and represent an attractive alternative to the direct investments in the cryptocurrencies,” said Mehdi Fichtali, CEO and Founder of FinaMaze.
Serving the more conventional investors, FinaMaze continues to be proactive and innovative in the traditional investment space. Its launch of the “Inflation Protection” smartfolio resolves some of the concerns that investors may have as inflationary tensions keep on building up in the markets.
Mehdi Fichtali commented: “We designed a unique cross-asset-class smartfolio that opportunistically profits from the inflation upsurge. It is investable in one click on the FinaMaze dashboard and includes yield products, commodities, Swiss franc, real estate and structurally Inflation-resistant sectors versus S&P.”
FinaMaze is an AI Digital Wealth Manager regulated by ADGM’s FSRA and launched during the Abu Dhabi Fintech Festival in November 2020. Its hybrid human/ machine model is currently managing over 100 portfolios: from multi-asset class/ generalist to regional/ sectorial/ alpha focused portfolios. FinaMaze smartfolios are tailor-made for each client’s “risk fingerprint”, out of 4,000 possible risk profiles. FinaMaze is intended for sophisticated/ professional clients only.
Factsheets, rationale and backtests are available to clients upon registration on www.finamaze.com and [email protected]
El Salvador Offers Incentive of $30 Bitcoin for all Starter Accounts
LiveEl Salvador’s government has offered an incentive of $30 for starter bitcoin accounts to promote the use of the cryptocurrency. Although the country’s President has stated that the use of Bitcoin will not be mandatory, it will allocate $120 million to establish as many as 4 million starter Bitcoin accounts, or wallets.
Cryptocurrency comes to the Masses – Thanks to TikTok’s Influencer
LiveCryptoWendyO, as she’s known to hundreds of thousands of viewers on TikTok, YouTube and other platforms, proceeds with her latest dispatch on the ground-shifting world of digital currency. CryptoWendyO is among a new class of influencers narrating the wild turns of global markets, redefining how younger audiences get their financial news and analysis.
DU Telecom and Dubai Airport Free Zone Partner to Implement Blockchain-Enabled Platform
LiveEmirates Integrated Telecommunications Company, operators of DU have partnered with Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA) to automate licensing processes for activities that require a no-objection certificate from other government agencies in a single platform enabled through blockchain.
First Bitcoin Fund in UAE listed on Nasdaq Dubai
LiveThe Bitcoin Fund managed by 3iQ, a Canadian digital asset investment fund manager with more than C$2.5 billion in assets under management has been listed on Nasdaq Dubai, the region’s international exchange. The Fund was approved to be listed in April this year, and it offers investors an indirect exposure to Bitcoin by trading its units within a world-class regulated and transparent exchange environment as well as the opportunity for long-term capital appreciation through a convenient alternative to a direct investment in the crypto currency.
Finsight Recap: This week in Crypto, Blockchain & Fintech
LiveMajor Trump Fundraiser Suggests Use of Blockchain Technology for Voting
This week saw former US President Donald Trump taking a swipe at cryptocurrency, bitcoin calling it a “scam” that takes “the edge off of the dollar.” However, in a sharp rebuttal, the millionaire former chief executive of U.S. online retailer Overstock, Patrick Byrne has said that the country’s voting system should rely on blockchain or paper ballots only and further went on to call bitcoin the future of money.
Partnership for Digitisation of Football through Blockchain
Football federation UEFA has announced a five-year global partnership with blockchain business AntChain to jointly explore how blockchain technology can be used to further the digital transformation of the football industry and improve the experiences of fans around the world. AntChain will also become the official global blockchain partner of UEFA EURO 2020.
Global Content Creators Embrace latest Blockchain Technology for Industry
The world’s first content marketplace that aims to build a collaborative content ecosystem with the core purpose of seed funding, incubating, and curating filmmakers, YouTubers and content producers around the World will be launched this June. $MCONTENT is expected to revolutionize the global content landscape using the power of blockchain.
Cryptocurrency Ethereum Launched into Space
Blockchain network agency SpaceChain has successfully sent a blockchain-enabled payload into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from NASA‘s Kennedy Space Center. With the first demonstration of the Ethereum cryptocurrency technology integration when the payload is installed at its destination, SpaceChain will allow customers to use the payload for enterprise business transactions and fintech applications once tested and activated.
Over $50 million in losses from crypto scams to US Investors in the first quarter of 2021
Consumers in the US reported $52.6 million in losses from crypto scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the first quarter of this year. The report also showed that scams related to cryptocurrencies or other digital assets in the US were also heavily targeted toward younger people.
America’s Largest-Known Cryptocurrency Real Estate Deal Closed in Miami
Miami Beach’s Most Expensive Penthouse Just Sold in America’s Largest-Known Cryptocurrency Real Estate Deal. The 9th floor Lower Penthouse at Arte by Antonio Citterio was bought – all cash paid for entirely in cryptocurrency, making it the most expensive known residential crypto real estate transaction in the U.S. to date.
Filipino Fintech Receives a Digital License
UNObank has become the first Filipino fintech to receive a license outright to operate a digital bank. This is after Singapore headquartered fintech DigibankASIA Pte. Ltd., one of the primary incorporators of UNObank, received approval from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to operate a digital bank in the Philippines which will be entirely regulated under the Digital Banking License framework in the Philippines.
eCommerce Biometrics Launched in UAE
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank in collaboration with Visa have launched the first biometric authentication solution for online transactions in the United Arab Emirates. The new security solution will tap into Visa’s Consumer Authentication Service to level up user experience and data security.
Hong Kong Invests more into Local Fintech Ecosystem
A new Fintech Cross-Agency Co-ordination Group is to be established by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) to formulate supportive policies for the local fintech ecosystem. The formation of the group is one of a range of initiatives adopted by the central bank as part of its Fintech 2025 strategy plan.
Tiger Global Invests Into Construction Industry Fintech Platform
Tiger Global Management has led a $30Million Series B funding into Briq, a fintech for the construction industry. The financing is among the largest Series B fundraisers by a construction software startup, and brings Briq’s total raised to $43 million since its January 2018 inception.