FAMILY TIES: Sometimes, spreading the crypto gospel becomes a family business. Natalia Ameline, mother of ethereum creator Vitalik Buterin and co-founder of the educational nonprofit CryptoChicks, is trying to establish blockchain literacy programs around the world. She told CoinDesk that CryptoChicks has run programs so far from Pakistan to Toronto with 608 students and young developers. But CryptoChicks isn’t turning to Buterin’s business connections, such as Fenbushi Capital, for funding. In fact, sponsorship for past conferences came from companies like Microsoft, IBM and the Royal Bank of Canada, not crypto organizations like the Ethereum Foundation. Full story
SECURITY VETERAN: An Austrian printing company that has a history going back to the early 1800s has launched a cryptocurrency storage device. The new credit card-sized hardware wallet comes from YOUNIQX Identity, a subsidiary of the Vienna-based Austrian State Printing House – a secure printing firm which is now the country’s high-tech passport maker and provider of other secure identity solutions. Called Chainlock, the device is aimed to address the vulnerability of “hot” or online wallets to hacking, which OeSD said in an announcement Monday “are a great security risk.” Full story
MINING NOD: Cryptocurrency mining is now an official industrial activity in Iran after winning approval from the country’s cabinet. In a cabinet session on Sunday, chaired by the country’s president, Hassan Rouhani, ministers endorsed the activity and said industry participants would need to seek the required licenses from the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade. The cabinet also said cryptocurrency users must accept the risks of the technology and that neither the government nor the banks would provide any guarantee. Full story
DECISION DELAYED: The NYAG is investigating whether Bitfinex covered up the loss of nearly $1 billion in client funds by borrowing from Tether's reserves. Tether and Bitfinex claim the NYAG has no jurisdiction, and have filed to vacate a preliminary injunction imposed earlier this year. The NYAG's office is pursuing documents that may share more information about the lending. The injunction has been extended until the judge makes a decision. Full story |
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SPEAKING OF TETHER: A new version of the widely used but controversial stablecoin tether (USDT) is launching on Blockstream’s Liquid Network. Announced Monday, the addition of the token to Liquid’s bitcoin sidechain network, launched last October, will offer bitcoin traders and companies new features that are not available via Tether Ltd.’s original platform. It will now be possible to make atomic swaps between Liquid BTC and Liquid tethers, and faster block times will allow traders to quickly complete transfers of fiat between exchanges, making more efficient arbitrage trades. Full story
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