Gift to Pope Francis Sold as NFT Raises $80,000 for Afghanistan

A carpet presented by the United Arab Emirates as a gift to the head of the Catholic Church a few years ago has been sold in the form of NFT. While the original remains in the Vatican, its digital representation has been successfully used to collect funds for the people of Afghanistan. NFT of Historic … Read more

China’s Xinhua News Agency to Issue NFTs Despite Crackdown on Crypto

Xinhua, the official news agency of China, is going to issue an NFT collection with photographs depicting historic moments of the passing year. The initiative, which comes amid an ongoing crypto crackdown, is seen as a boost for blockchain, the technology that also underpins cryptocurrencies. Xinhua to Create Digital Collectibles Based on Photo Reports The … Read more

Crypto Stamp Crashes Swiss Post’s Online Store With Launch Day Demand

Unexpectedly high demand for Switzerland’s first crypto stamp has created headaches for the national postal service. Swiss Post announced it had to deal with technical issues when numerous orders hit its online shop all at once on the day the innovative offering was made available. Demand for First Crypto Stamp Overwhelms Swiss Post’s Online Store … Read more

Russian Oil Companies Propose to Mine Cryptocurrencies at Their Wells

Companies involved in oil production in Russia have come up with a project to organize the mining of cryptocurrencies right next to the oil fields they are exploiting. Data centers devoted to coin minting can be powered by the excess gas released during oil extraction which would otherwise be wasted. Ministries and Central Bank Review … Read more

Ukraine’s Digital Ministry Plans to Pay Employees With Digital Hryvnia in Pilot Project

Employees of Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation may become the first in the country to get their salaries in digital currency. The National Bank of Ukraine is developing an electronic version of the Ukrainian hryvnia and the ministry is considering the option of using the state-issued coin for remuneration. Government Employees to Be Paid With … Read more

Rammstein Vocalist in Conflict With Russian Museum Over Unauthorized NFT Sale

Till Lindemann, lead singer of the German metal band Rammstein, has angered Russia’s renowned Hermitage Museum with a crypto initiative. The musician seeks over a hundred thousand euros for an NFT collection containing footage and imagery shot in the cultural institution. The tokens have been created without its authorization. German Singer Till Lindemann Sells NFTs … Read more

Brussels Asks Europeans How to Regulate Bitcoin, Public Consultation Continues Into March

The European Commission is gathering feedback from EU citizens, businesses, regulators and other interested parties to establish a regulatory framework for crypto assets and markets on a European level. The public consultation which started in December will continue until March 19, 2020, with the finalized proposal expected in the third quarter. Also read: Swiss Financial … Read more

Initiative to Curtail Negative Interest Rates Gains Traction in Germany

Negative interest rates, a common occurrence in Europe these days, are unpleasant for both banks and clients. And financial institutions have been increasingly transferring the bulk of the burden on to their customers. Some political factions in Germany, however, aren’t happy with the trend and are pushing for adequate protection for the ordinary small saver, … Read more

Project to Build Satoshi Statue Gains Support in Kiev

An initiative to erect a monument of Satoshi Nakamoto in Ukraine’s capital is gaining momentum and support. The idea is to place the statue right where the red Karelian stone figure of Lenin used to stand, before it was taken down almost five years ago. The project is said to be part of a global … Read more