Bank of Russia Wants to Restrict Crypto Investments by Blocking Card Payments, Report Reveals

The Central Bank of Russia is currently reviewing various ways to prevent Russians from investing in cryptocurrency. One the options on the table is to block card payments to certain recipients such as crypto exchanges, a media report has unveiled. A recent meeting at the State Duma has indicated, however, that the authority’s hardline stance … Read more

SWIFT Aims to Test Tokenization in 2022, Clearstream, Northern Trust, SETL to Participate

SWIFT, the Belgian-based cooperative that serves as an intermediary and settlement executor of financial transactions between banks worldwide is planning to experiment with asset tokenization in 2022. In a blog post about the subject, SWIFT notes that it will be working with firms like Clearstream, Northern Trust, and SETL to explore “the feasibility and benefits” … Read more

Defi Marketplace and NFT Platform Arcade Raises $15 Million in Series A Funding Round

The decentralized finance (defi) marketplace, non-fungible token (NFT) financialization platform, and lending application Arcade has announced the company has closed a Series A investment round for $15 million. Just recently, Arcade facilitated an onchain loan of $800,000 against an NFT portfolio from a lender with over $10 billion. Arcade Raises $15 Million in Series A … Read more

Bank of Russia Sees No Place for Crypto in Financial Market, Finalizes Digital Ruble Prototype

In advance of presenting its comprehensive view on crypto regulations, the Central Bank of Russia has indicated that it sees no place for cryptocurrencies in the country’s financial market. The monetary authority also announced that the prototype of the platform for its own digital currency is already completed. Bank of Russia to Issue Report on … Read more

Mandates Ban Unvaccinated From Visiting Banks in Multiple Countries, Australian Premier Says ‘There’s Going to Be a Vaccinated Economy’

Over the last few weeks, furious debates over Covid-19 and vaccine mandates have divided people into two classes. On December 21, one individual from Argentina explained in a forum that “banks in Argentina are not letting unvaccinated people inside.” The person said that whether people are for or against vaccines, the mandate was “nuts” and … Read more

Visa Partners With 60 Crypto Platforms to Let Consumers Spend Digital Currency at 80 Million Merchants

Visa’s head of crypto has revealed that the payments giant has partnered with about 60 leading crypto platforms “to launch card programs that make it easy for consumers to convert and spend digital currency at 80 million merchant locations worldwide.” He emphasized, “We’ve built a lot of momentum in this space, and we’ll continue to … Read more

Mutual Bank in New Jersey to Give Customers the Ability to Buy, Sell and Hold Cryptocurrency

Manasquan Bank, a mutual community bank in New Jersey serving residents since 1874, has announced it is partnering with the company Bakkt to give its retail clients the ability to buy, sell and hold cryptocurrency through the bank’s mobile banking application. Manasquan Bank to Give Customers Access to Crypto A mutual community bank headquartered in … Read more

Kraken Ventures Raises $65 Million to Invest in Web3, Defi, Blockchain Startups and Protocols

The independent investment fund led by Kraken alumni that’s focused on early-stage companies and protocols, Kraken Ventures, announced the successful closing of its first fund at $65 million. Presently, the fund holds positions in platforms like Hashflow, Pstake, Acala, Blockdaemon, Anchorage, and Messari. Kraken Ventures Reveals $65 Million Fund I LP There’s been an enormous … Read more

Lending Platform Ledn Launching Bitcoin-Backed Mortgage Product, Raises $70 Million

Global digital asset savings and credit platform Ledn has announced the upcoming launch of a bitcoin-backed mortgage product, calling it “the first product of its kind to hit the market.” The company has also raised $70 million, which brings its valuation to $540 million. Bitcoin-Backed Mortgage — ‘The First Product of Its Kind to Hit … Read more