Louisiana Mayor Proposes Government-Backed Crypto and ICO

The mayor-president of the Louisiana city of Lafayette, Joel Robideaux, has proposed an ambitious plan that would see the city develop a government-issued cryptocurrency. Mr. Robideaux suggested the launching the cryptocurrency through an initial coin offering (ICO). Also Read: Spring Sees Bitcoin Cash Adoption Rise Lafayette Mayor Advocates Government-Issued Cryptocurrency The government of a city in … Read more

Mastercard “Very Happy” to Use Cryptocurrencies, Just Not Real Ones

When you are an entrenched player deep within a certain system, especially one as complex and inflexible as the banking industry, it can be hard to implement changes, even when there is a critical need to adapt to emerging technologies. If a company wants to appear as if it is keeping up with the times, … Read more

Venezuela Picks FX Platform to Auction Petro ‘Oil-Backed Cryptocurrency’

Venezuela has chosen a platform on which to auction its “oil-backed cryptocurrency”, the petro. While the country’s National Assembly has repeatedly declared this new currency illegal, the Venezuelan government will proceed with the auction of the petro on the country’s official foreign exchange platform. Also read: Japan’s DMM Bitcoin Exchange Opens for Business With 7 Cryptocurrencies … Read more

How the Marshall Islands Sovereign Cryptocurrency Came About

The cryptocurrency community is full of entrepreneurial people who think they can change the world. From challenging financial and tech giants to attempting to establish sovereign micro-nations, nothing is beyond their reach. A recent example shows they can even successfully convince countries to issue their own cryptocurrency. Also Read: High-Frequency Trading Firm Virtu Threatens Legal … Read more

Offshore Tax Haven Marshall Islands to Issue National Cryptocurrency

A small island nation with less than 60,000 inhabitants best known internationally as a former test site for nuclear weapons is joining the hottest new trend – issuing a national cryptocurrency. The planned Marshall Islands’ Govcoin is expected to be issued later this year. Also Read: Europol: Hardcore Criminals Are Shifting From Bitcoin to Monero, … Read more

Bill Submitted to Make Cryptoruble Legal Tender in Russia

A bill has been submitted to the Russian parliament to make the country’s national “cryptocurrency,” the cryptoruble, legal tender in Russia. This bill was introduced as the finance ministry published a different bill for the regulation of cryptocurrencies and initial coin offerings in Russia. Also read: Russia Finalizes Federal Law on Cryptocurrency Regulation Cryptoruble as Legal Tender … Read more

Maduro Orders the Issue of 100M Petros, Venezuela’s Oil-Backed Cryptocurrency

The first issue of Venezuela’s national cryptocurrency has been ordered by President Nicolás Maduro. He has also called for the first national meeting of the petro’s miners where he will release the whitepaper for the new currency. Also read: Venezuela Unveils Mining, Trading, and Launch Details of National Cryptocurrency 100 Million Petros Incoming On Friday Venezuela’s … Read more

Putin Wants to Use Cryptoruble to Evade Sanctions But Bank of Russia Skeptical

Russia’s president Vladimir Putin has reportedly commissioned work to create a cryptocurrency as a tool to circumvent international sanctions. His economic adviser explained that “no mining is possible” for the cryptoruble. Meanwhile, the country’s central bank and finance ministry have expressed skepticism about this “cryptocurrency.” Also read: Russian Cryptocurrency Bill Is Ready – Regulators Share Details … Read more

Israel Weighs “Digital Shekel,” Its Own National Cryptocurrency

Israeli officials are debating whether or not to create their own cryptocurrency, joining a growing list of governments that have proposed their own state-sponsored digital currencies in 2017. Israel Debates the Merits of Crypto The Israeli government may create its own “digital shekel,” according to sources close to Israel’s Finance Ministry.   The discussions are part of an … Read more

Venezuela’s National Cryptocurrency Advances But Experts Warn of Corruption

Venezuela’s president Nicolas Maduro has advanced the creation of the country’s national cryptocurrency, the Petro. He believes it will take off and solve the country’s economic problems next year, but experts are concerned with corruption. Moody’s credit rating agency, for example, says market participants would have no confidence in Maduro’s government to manage it. Also … Read more