Tag Archives: blockchain

Venezuela's plans to issue a cryptocurrency are an early warning of an attack on the Western-dominated global financial system.… The kicker. To keep its dominant role in the global financial system, the West is essentially interested in holding back progress. That, perhaps more than anything else, gives non-Western powers, including rogue ones, a potential technological advantage born of strong incentive.… Good luck with holding back progress. Bloomberg ViewGovernment-Run Digital Currencies...

Rumors confirmed. After months of speculation and conflicting messages, ministers have announced the Russian Federation is to issue its own official cryptocurrency - the CryptoRuble. The landmark development makes Russia the very first government in the world to official pursue virtual tender. China likely not to be far behind.Interesting article. Short and worth a read in full.Sputnik InternationalVladimir Putin Endorses Russia's New Cryptocurrency

The People's Bank of China, China's central bank, has completed trial runs on the algorithms needed for digital currency supply, taking it a step closer to addressing the technological challenges associated with digital currencies, according to a top official associated with the project. Yao Qian, director-general of the Institute of Digital Money at the PBOC, said China's central bank has successfully designed a prototype that can regulate the supply of its future digital fiat currency....

Are blockchain and cryptocurrencies as over-hyped? Michael Roberts thinks so and explains why.Michael Roberts BlogBlockchains and the crypto crazeMichael Roberts

Looks like the central bank (PBOC) is asserting its control of currency. As Yves Smith says, "prosecution futures."Ars TechnicaIt looks like China is shutting down its blockchain economy Timothy B. Lee

MONI has developed a prepaid debit card that circumvents the need for a bank account or identity papers. The card is linked to a unique digital identity stored on a blockchain – the same technology that underpins Bitcoin and other digital currencies.Two years ago, MONI partnered with the Finnish government to provide refugees with their monthly allowance, which until then had been paid in cash.... World Economic ForumFinland has created a digital money system for refugees Alex Gray

This is a no-brainer. Large-scale money laundering. The push to delete cash to control crime is quickly being met by the rise in use of blockchain "currencies."As Yves Smith has said, "prosecution futures."Liberty Blitzkrieg The 1% Has Started To Embrace Bitcoin - Why It Matters Michael Krieger

Russia’s Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology (Rosstandart) appointed a new technical committee to work on the standardization of “the software and hardware of distributed register and Blockchain technologies", East-West Digital reported. “The standardization of Blockchain will allow these technologies to develop at a new level,” expects the agency, acknowledging that Blockchain technology is “actively spreading” across Russia. Blockchain technology will develop through...

Estonia has proposed to launch its own state-backed cryptocurrency, called "estcoin". Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin apparently gave feedback on the digital currency. It would be launched via the digital coin community's version of crowdfunding - an initial coin offering (ICO). Provocative article. Last month Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid said that her nation was "the only truly digital society," underpinned by the state. "Almost all our citizens' interactions with the government,...

After the Welsh Assembly elections - in which UKIP did rather well - I had a Twitter exchange with an angry Welshman. He said: @dsquareddigest @Frances_Coppola Most UKIP votes came from, erm, English migrants to Wales. Unbelievable. The famous 'white flight'. — Gweirydd (@gweirydd) May 6, 2016 I challenged this, of course. But in the ensuing heated discussion, I misquoted him: @gweirydd @dsquareddigest Why? You didn't support your assertion that UKIP voters were all English immigrants. —...