Last Chance to Save on MIT Technology Review

Subscribe and take advantage of our savings offer: 3 additional months of content for free.

View in browser Going...going...gone. Last chance for saving on MIT Technology Review.  MIT Technology Review is unique in the world of media in many ways, among them its access to the leading voices on emerging technology, its impacts, and the human and economic choices that lie behind it.   As a subscriber, you will have unfettered access to breaking tech news and non-stop brain food, including: Exactly What Is AI? Our AI reporter, Karen Hao, breaks this down for you in an easy-to-understand flowchart Ten big global challenges technology could solve curated by our editors Continued breaking news on CRISPR from Antonio Regalado This is your last chance to purchase an All Access Digital subscription to MIT Technology Review and take advantage of our savings offer.  Get a 12-month subscription and receive 3 additional months for free (or purchase a 24-month subscription and get 6 months on us). Plus, you'll get the new Tech Review app-- your digital gateway to every issue.  This offer end Labor Day. So respond today!   SUBSCRIBE TODAY Click here to manage your newsletter preferences and email settings. MIT Technology Review, One Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142 To unsubscribe from all emails, including newsletters, follow this link.

We're launching a Libra Blockchain development course (Loom Update #50)

Hey you! I am still at burning man... and I still don't have internet. But since sending you Loom Updates is SO DAMN important — I found a guy with a fancy 3G device that allowed me to write this right now 😜 By the way, did you watch the latest episode of Bitcoin & Friends? — It's AWESOME 😮 Fun fact: We actually sponsored the episode because it's insanely entertaining... and it's so much fun to see a well made animated series in the crypto/blockchain space. As far as Loom Updates go, first up...   We're launching a Libra Blockchain development course As a part of the CryptoZombies code school, we're launching a new interactive course on Libra Blockchain and the Move language. Master the basics of Facebook's Libra Blockchain and the Move programming language Learn in a fun, interactive manner by building your own game Completely free and open source Facebook's Libra Blockchain is going to have serious disruption power in the world.  ...and being a Libra Developer is going to give you a MASSIVE advantage in the marketplace. So if you want to get started on becoming a Libra developer... 👉 Sign-up for early access to our Libra Blockchain Development course. Oh, by the way... We just published an article on what the launch of Libra means for digital payments and blockchain tech.  When you're done signing up for the course, please ahead and read...  👉 Libra is the Future of Money In other news... • Somnium Space is building on Loom Network and OpenSea to incorporate blockchain tech into their social VR world. • SONM is also building on Loom Network to help scale their decentralized fog computing. • We've updated our dev doc on using Loom smart contract functionality to build your own Binance Chain Token (BEP2).  That's what's crackin' around here at Loom HQ 😉 If you want to discuss any of the latest updates — stop by our subreddit @ /r/LoomNetwork.  Until next time... Your friend, —Dilanka P.S — Don't forget to Watch Episode 3 of Bitcoin & Friends — We sponsored the episode because those guys are talented as hell and I guarantee that you are going to LOVE the entire series.  Don't want to receive anymore updates from Loom Network? Unsubscribe. Our address: 26/-47 12A Floor Orakarn Building,, 46 Chit Lom Alley, Khwaeng Lumphini,, Bangkok, Thailand, 10330

ETH compatible

To view this email as a web page, go here.

August 30, 2019 TON TOOLS: Telegram’s new blockchain project will be compatible with ethereum, according to a tech startup building tools for the network. TON Labs, helmed by investors in Telegram’s token sale, is building a Solidity compiler that which will allow decentralized applications built for ethereum to also run on TON, said TON Labs CEO Alexander Filatov. The messaging company is expected to release the code to run a node on the Telegram Open Network (TON) on Sunday, allowing users to trial its project in advance of the project’s expected mainnet launch on Oct. 31. Full story TETHERED TRADERS: Chinese traders continue to drive the crypto market forward by using the dollar-pegged stablecoin tether (USDT) as a work-around to banking restrictions. According to CoinMarketCap, USDT activity reached an all-time high this month with a global market cap exceeding $4 billion. Further, Tether is used in between 40-80 percent of all Huobi and Binance transactions. But since this asset is favored among over-the-counter (OTC) traders, official exchange volumes hardly paint a complete picture. Full story DIGITAL YUAN? A new research report from crypto exchange Binance says China’s digital currency will most likely be a two-tiered system replacing notes and coins in circulation. The report, issued yesterday, claims the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) central bank digital currency (CBDC) will be backed 1:1 by renminbi fiat as well as follow a two-tiered structured system with the bank, commercial banks, and retail market participants. The two-tiered system could help the PBOC process as many as 300,000 transactions per second, currently not possible with blockchain technology. Full story CRYPTO COLLABORATION: Malta-based crypto exchange Binance wants to spur greater research in open-source blockchain development. To that end, the exchange unveiled Binance X on Thursday, announcing that it was funding more than 40 developers conducting research into open-source crypto software. Binance X also hopes to facilitate collaboration in the Binance ecosystem by providing resources to projects in various stages of development and tap blockchain “evangelists” to foster education around the space. Full story   LAUNCH PARTNER: Aerospace giant Boeing has joined the governing council for Hedera Hashgraph, a blockchain-like network for enterprises. The Chicago-based aircraft and satellite manufacturer became the 10th member of Hedera’s governing council Thursday, joining the likes of Tata Communications, Nomura Holdings and IBM. The news comes hot on the heels of financial services provider FIS Global’s announcement to join the network that will support transaction ordering, micropayments and distributed file storage when it launches. Full story MOONLESS MONTH: Bitcoin looks set to register its third monthly loss of the year with a moderate price drop in August. The leading cryptocurrency by market value is currently trading at $9,600, representing a 4.8 percent drop on the opening price of $10,096 observed on Aug. 1, according to Bitstamp data. If prices remain below $10,096 till Saturday’s UTC close, then it would be the third monthly loss of 2019. BTC fell 7.59 percent and 6.27 percent in January and July, respectively. Full story BTC PAPER TRAIL: Unsuspecting bitcoin ATM users in Winnipeg, Canada may have been swindled out of their BTC after fraudsters taped out-of-order signs on two terminals, reports CoinTelegraph. The signs said the machines were undergoing a software upgrade and directed users to deposit crypto to a fraudulent QR code provided. Police reportedly said no one had fallen for the scam. WHO WON #CRYPTOTWITTER Copyright © 2019 CoinDesk, All rights reserved.  Our mailing address is:  250 Park Avenue South New York, NY, 10003, US  Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

India's Proposed Crypto Ban

Inside Bitcoin presented by Airbnb.

Presented by Subscribe | View in browser Dear Inside Bitcoin readers, Over the last few months, years even, the issue of what India is going to do regarding a ban on cryptocurrencies has remained a heated topic. If the government goes ahead with the ban, what's at stake? Will the market continue unaffected or will prices rise or fall? Due to the uncertainty surrounding it we have decided to dedicate today's newsletter to the issue and to, hopefully, get you up to speed on the latest developments. P.S. There won't be a newsletter on Monday as its Labor Day. Have a great weekend and check back Tuesday for some more news on the crypto market.       1. In the beginning. India's central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued its first official warning on the risks of trading and investing in cryptocurrencies in December 2013. It delivered its second on February 1, 2017 and third in December. In both instances, the bank highlighted the potential financial and security-related risks that traders were exposing themselves to. Undeterred by the warnings, investors in India continued to trade, so much so, that Localbitcoins, an exchange that accepts Indian rupees saw Bitcoin trading volume rise to 18.5 million rupees in April 2017. The rise in crypto trading can be linked to the government's decision to demonetize Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes to reduce the risk of money laundering.       2. First inter-disciplinary committee. Following heightened interest in the crypto market, the Indian government set up its first inter-disciplinary committee, which was established by the Department of Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Finance, in April 2017. The goal was to study, research, and eventually propose a framework for cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, in India. A report on the matter was due three months later. In a notice, at the time, the ministry of finance noted that the RBI continued to caution users of digital currencies relating to financial and security risks. In August 2017, a report was submitted to the recently deceased Arun Jaitley, former Indian finance minister. However, as per a publication at the time, the contents of the findings had yet to be made public.       A MESSAGE FROM AIRBNB Earn money by sharing your space. Millions of travelers stayed in an Airbnb last year. Turn your extra space into extra money. Learn More 3. Using his position to make a point. Due to a lack of regulatory oversight surrounding digital currencies, particularly in India, Indian Parliament Member Kirit Somaiya urged the government to declare it illegal. Speaking in 2017 at the Lok Sabha, India's House of the People, Somaiya said: "I urge upon the government to take a look at bitcoins. It is an illegal currency." In an interview, the same year, the MP stated that he didn't agree that people were doing business with crypto at their own risk and that he would see the RBI took action to stop it.       4. Ban or no ban? Set up in November 2017, an inter-ministerial committee, chaired by Subhash Chandra Garg, the Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs, was established to look into the resolutions of the first committee and to determine the viability of cryptocurrencies in the Indian economy. A report in early December suggested that the panel had recommended a complete ban on cryptocurrencies with new legal framework within the RBI stating that any form of dealings with these assets would be treated as illegal. Yet, a few weeks later another report indicated that the panel was in favor of legalizing the market with tough rules in place. An unnamed senior official said that "cryptocurrency cannot be dismissed as completely illegal."       A MESSAGE FROM ODOO New Conference: Odoo Connect 2019 [Business Software]   Business leaders, entrepreneurs, CEOs/Founders, IT professionals, and developers from around the world come together for 3 days of workshops, presentations, and business software demos to help businesses connect their teams and scale their growth. Inside subscribers are invited to get a free pass! Free Pass   5. RBI bans banks from dealing with crypto. In April 2018, India's central bank issued a directive effectively prohibiting Indian banks from dealing with cryptocurrencies. It noted that in its public notices in 2013 and 2017, the RBI had repeatedly warned users of the risks associated with crypto trading. As a result, it had taken the decision, "with immediate effect," that financial institutions regulated by the RBI should not deal with virtual currencies or provide services to help deal with them. However, while the reserve bank issued a directive withdrawing support from the crypto market, it's not in a position to ban the use or trade of cryptocurrencies. That can only come from elected officials or the judiciary system. The Supreme Court has sought a response from the government for a petition asking for crypto regulation.       6. Draft bill recommending ban leaked. In July 2019, a bill suggesting the Indian government was considering a blanket ban on cryptocurrencies in the country was published on Twitter by blockchain lawyer Varun Sethi. While it had yet to be authenticated, it did mention a Digital Rupee, which would be issued by the RBI. The 18-page document stated that the Digital Rupee would be approved by Central Government and would be considered legal tender. It added that "no person shall mine, generate, hold, sell, deal in, issue, transfer, dispose of or use cryptocurrency in the territory of India."       7. Inter-ministerial committee recommends ban. Shortly after the leaked draft bill, "Banning of Cryptocurrencies and Regulation of Official Digital Currencies Bill 2019," the governmental panel suggested a ban on private cryptocurrencies in India. It also suggested proposed fines of up to 250 million rupees ($3.63 million) and up to 10 years in prison for the general use of crypto in the country. At the same time, it highlighted to the government to keep an "open mind" on the possibility of an official cryptocurrency. Many, however, have spoken out. According to Sidharth Sogani, the CEO of crypto and blockchain research firm Crebaco Global Inc., India could lose nearly $13 billion worth of the market if it's banned in the country.       8. The Supreme Court of India gives RBI two weeks to respond. Following court hearings, it gave the reserve bank just two weeks mid-August to justify its crypto ban, which the RBI agreed to. According to the court, the RBI had not responded appropriately to concerns from the crypto industry. The decision came after the court addressed two issues relating to India's crypto market: the 2018 banking restrictions by the central bank and the government's policy on cryptocurrency.       9. 40,000 Bitcoin to flood market. It's not known what impact, if any, a proposed ban on India's crypto market will have on the wider industry. However, Ajeet Khurana, head of Zebpay, a cryptocurrency exchange and wallet provider, thinks that 40,000 Bitcoin will hit the market if India goes ahead with the ban. At the same time, though, he doesn't believe that this will have a lasting impact on the price of Bitcoin.       10. What this means for you. It depends really. Are you someone who sees the proposed ban in India as an opportunity or a negative step for the market? Jaideep Reddy, a lawyer at Nishith Desai Associates who is contesting the RBI order, thinks that a ban in place would be the "most extreme step by any significantly sized economy." For others, a price dip may be a good opportunity to buy some more crypto while prices are low.       This newsletter was written and curated by Rebecca Campbell. She has been writing and reporting on various industries for the past 10 years, more specifically tech in the last three. Connect with her on Twitter. Editor: David Stegon (senior editor at Inside, whose reporting experience includes cryptocurrency and technology).       Ad Earn money by sharing your space. List your place now. Want to attend Odoo Connect? Visit the event page to get a free ticket at odoo.com/inside

We're Hiring! Learn more. | Sponsorship opportunities Copyright © 2019 Inside.com, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Inside.com 767 Bryant St. #203 San Francisco, CA 94107 Did someone forward this email to you? Head over to inside.com to get your very own free subscription! You received this email because you subscribed to Inside Bitcoin. Click here to unsubscribe from Inside Bitcoin list or manage your subscriptions.