P2P Markets Round-Up: Record Volume Across Canadian and Latin American Markets

In recent weeks, the peer-to-peer (P2P) bitcoin markets of several Latin American markets have produced record-breaking volume, with the Localbitcoins markets of Chile, Peru, and Venezuela producing all-time highs for trade volume in recent weeks when measured in local fiat currencies. The Canadian markets have also produced a dramatic spike in volume – recently setting … Read more

Regulations Round-Up: CFTC Rejects FOIA Request, SEC Not Modifying Securities Laws

In recent regulatory news, the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has rejected a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request regarding the subpoenas recently received by Bitfinex and Tether; the United States Securities and Exchanges (SEC) Chairman, Jay Clayton, has indicated that the regulator will not alter existing securities legislation to cater to cryptocurrencies. … Read more

Central Bank-Issued Cryptocurrency Round Up: IMF, BoE, Hong Kong

In recent days, central banks from the around the world have been actively exploring the prospect of issuing digital currencies. The Bank of England (BOE) has continued to press forward with research into models for central bank-issued currencies, with BOE governor Mark Carney expressing his openness to the idea of issuing a digital currency in … Read more

Regulations Round-Up: SEC hits Titanium, Israeli Crypto Law Delayed, BTC Trading Legal for Chinese Citizens

In recent regulatory news, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has taken action against the Titanium Blockchain initial coin offering (ICO) for allegedly making false claims; the enactment of Israel’s cryptocurrency regulations have been delayed; and a Chinese professor has discussed the current legal status of bitcoin trading in China, asserting that it … Read more

Exchanges Round-Up: Coinbundle Approved for Licensing in PH, MAS to Review Regulations, Okex Suspends Withdrawals

In recent news relating to cryptocurrency exchanges, Coinbundle has received approval for licensing in The Philippines, the Monetary Authority of Singapore has issued a consultation paper regarding its intention to update its regulatory apparatus for cryptocurrency exchanges, and Okex has announced that it has remedied the error that caused it abruptly to suspend withdrawals and … Read more

ICO Round-Up: Nearly 1 in 5 Offerings Accused of Fraud, Bermuda Passes Regulations, Thai SEC Holds Hearing

A recent “analysis of 1,450 cryptocurrency offerings” published by the Wall Street Journal has claimed to have revealed “rampant plagiarism, identity theft, and promises of improbable returns.” In other ICO news, Bermuda’s parliament has passed regulations that will legitimize initial coin offerings as a means of fundraising, and Thailand’s SEC held a hearing regarding its upcoming … Read more

ICO Round-Up: Analysts Discuss Industry After Advertising Ban, Colorado Takes Action Against Offerings

Mike Finch, the co-founder of ICO Alert, has discussed the present state of the initial coin offering (ICO) industry. Mr. Finch shared his assessment that although the social media advertising ban has had a significant adverse effect upon the performance of promotional campaigns for ICOs, the number of new ICOs brought to market has significantly … Read more

ETH Round-Up: Parity Unfreeze Shot Down, Casper Code Made Public, Vitalik Slams Greedy Market Sentiment

A number of significant events have occurred pertaining to the Ethereum ecosystem in recent days. Last week, the code for the proposed first step of Ethereum’s technical transition toward the adoption of proof-of-stake mining, Vitalik Buterin made disparaging comments regarding 2017’s explosion in the initial coin offering (ICO) industry in an interview with Financial Times, … Read more

Scam Round-Up: Asian Investment Schemes and Snail Mail Extortion

Unfortunately, as with any industry, scams of all shapes and sizes persist within the cryptocurrency sector. This past week has seen a Filipino couple arrested after amassing over $17 million USD through a bitcoin investment scam, and protests held outside the office of a Vietnamese company that swindled $660 through two multi-level marketing (MLM) initial … Read more

Global Market Stagnant Despite Bitcoin Gains

While it is widely agreed that past trends cannot predict future markets, today’s cryptocurrency market movements suggest a similar trend to what has been observed multiple times throughout 2017. Today, we see money flowing away from altcoins, back to Bitcoin, as sentiments towards the grandfather coin continue to turn bullish. Bitcoin (BTC) has climbed close to … Read more