ASIC, the Australian securities regulator, has updated its guidance for businesses involved with initial coin offerings and crypto assets.
CoinDesk
Tether Updates Website, Says USDT Backed by “Reserves,” Not Just Cash
Tether just updated its website to clarify that each of its USDT tokens, which it used to claim were “always backed 1-to-1 with traditional currency,” are backed by assets other than fiat currency.
Now, the website instead reassures its patrons that it’s always “100% backed by [its] reserves.” It clarifies this vague language, even legalistic language, by saying these reserves “include traditional currency and cash equivalents and, from time to time, may include other assets and receivables from loans made by Tether to third parties, which may include affiliated entities.”
In the Daily: Pro-Crypto Presidential Candidate, Kleros and Ethfinex Partner, Hardware Wallet Updates
In Friday’s roundup of news from across the cryptosphere, we look at the rise of U.S. presidential candidate Andrew Yang and his acceptance of cryptocurrency donations. We also detail a new partnership between Kleros and Ethfinex that will see the Ethereum-based exchange utilize crowdsourced jurors to govern token listings. Finally, we round up news from hardware wallet manufacturers Ledger and Trezor.
Also read: Former Bitmain Employees May Find Refuge in a Spinoff Startup Called Matrix
Shroud: Upcoming Apex Legends Updates Are ‘Worth the Wait’
Twitch streamer Michael “Shroud” Grzesiek recently revealed that big things are coming to the popular battle royale game Apex Legends. In a live stream on Sunday, Shroud shared that numerous features that he helped demo have yet to be added to the game, insinuating that they are significant improvements. “I can tell you this much, […]
SludgeFeed
Epic Games Vows to Stop Pushing Fortnite Updates During Esports Events
Epic Games received significant backlash in December after pushing a game-altering update just hours before the $ 100,000 WSOE Fortnite Duos tournament. In the update, Epic Games introduced a new item called the Boom Box, which delivers powerful blasts of music that deal structure damage in a large area. As first highlighted by esports consultant and industry leader Rod Breslau, the […]
SludgeFeed
Marshall Islands Updates 2019 Roadmap for Sovereign Cryptocurrency
The Marshall Islands’ plan to issue a sovereign cryptocurrency, dubbed ‘the Sovereign’ (SOV), appears to be progressing, with the Oceanic nation announcing that it will work alongside Steve Tendon, a former adviser to the Maltese Office of the Prime Minister regarding blockchain policy, in developing the virtual currency.
Also Read: Latin American P2P Bitcoin Markets Defy Global Trend to Set New Records
Marshall Islands’ Sovereign Cryptocurrency Team Revises Strategy for 2019
The team working to launch Malta’s anticipated national cryptocurrency has published two documents seeking to articulate the project’s roadmap for the new year.
Texas Updates Regulatory Guidance Regarding Cryptocurrency Activities
The Texas Department of Banking has published new guidance regarding the regulatory treatment of virtual currencies under the Texas Money Services Act. The document states that most transactions involving cryptocurrencies will not be considered a transfer of “monetary value” but the exchange of virtual currencies for fiat will likely be recognized as a “money transmission.”
Also Read: More Japanese Cryptocurrency Exchanges Sign up for Self-Regulation
Texas Department of Banking Updates Regulatory Position on Crypto Transactions
On Jan. 2, the Texas Department of Banking published a supervisory memorandum providing updated regulatory guidance regarding the treatment of cryptocurrencies under state law.
Singapore Financial Regulator Updates Guide to Digital Token Offerings
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has published new guidelines pertaining to digital token offerings. The document provides additional clarity on the regulatory requirements for intermediaries that facilitate them, while highlighting the reporting obligations of entities offering capital markets products that are not classified as securities.
Also Read: P2P Markets Report: Dumping Drives Record Volume Across Latin America and Asia
MAS Publishes New ICO Guidelines
The guidelines state that offerings of digital tokens are categorized as “capital markets products” under the Securities and Futures Act (SFA). The document also states that MAS will determine compliance with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Countering Financing of Terrorism (CFT) requirements for offerings of capital markets products.
The Daily: US Bank to Issue Crypto Cards, Coinbase Updates Wallet
In Sunday’s edition of The Daily, we cover the upcoming launch of a new Visa debit card that will allow users in the U.S. to spend cryptocurrencies through conversion to fiat. We also mention the updated Coinbase wallet and take a look at an educational course that’s going to reward students with digital coins.
Also read: New Woe for ICOs, Bitcoin Cash Trading Resumes
Crypto.com to Launch Prepaid Visa Cards in the US
New York-based Metropolitan Commercial Bank and Foris Inc., a Jacksonville, Florida-headquartered affiliate of digital asset wallet provider Crypto.com, are preparing to issue Visa crypto debit cards in the United States. The announcement comes after Crypto.com, a Hong Kong-based company formerly known as Monaco, recently launched its Mco Visa card program in Singapore.
Isle of Man Updates Registration Rules for Cryptocurrency Businesses
The financial regulator of the Isle of Man recently introduced changes to its policy governing the registration of companies in the cryptocurrency industry. The British Crown dependency in the Irish Sea is also tightening rules applicable to projects that conduct initial coin offerings (ICOs).
Also read: Vietnam at Crossroads on Cryptocurrency Regulations
Financial Authority Adopts Stricter Requirements
Cryptocurrency companies filing for registration under the the self-governing territory’s Designated Businesses Act 2015 will be required to meet two new criteria. The updated policy states that companies must have at least two directors who are residents of the island. In addition, registered entities must be managed and controlled from the Isle of Man.
China Updates Crypto Ranking, Downgrades BTC Further
China’s Center for Information and Industry Development has updated its ranking of 33 crypto projects, evaluated in three separate categories as well as overall. BTC has been downgraded further since the center’s previous update while EOS and Ethereum still top the overall ranking.
Also read: Yahoo! Japan Confirms Entrance Into the Crypto Space
New Ranking
China’s Center for Information and Industry Development (CCID), under the country’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, announced a new update of its crypto project ranking on Monday. This is the center’s sixth update. The number of crypto projects evaluated remains 33, unchanged from the previous ranking.
Adobe Flash Player Updates Could Contain Crypto Malware

Palo Alto Networks warned this week that fake Adobe Flash Player updates carrying cryptocurrency mining malware are on the increase.
In its latest blog post, the cybersecurity company reveals that it has uncovered more of the fake Flash updates during its work and research than ever before.
These fake updates use pop up notifications from the official Adobe installer. If the update is run by the system user, it will add cryptocurrency mining malware like the XMRig cryptocurrency miner. It may also update the system’s Flash Player to the latest version, making it less likely for a user to notice the malware.
PSA: Hackers Are Using Fake Flash Updates to Hide Cryptocurrency Mining Malware
It has been discovered that fake Adobe Flash updates are being used to surreptitiously install cryptocurrency mining malware on computers and networks, creating severe losses in time, system performance, and power consumption for affected users. Cryptojacking Breaks New Ground While fake Flash updates that push malware have traditionally been easy to spot and avoid, a
The post PSA: Hackers Are Using Fake Flash Updates to Hide Cryptocurrency Mining Malware appeared first on CCN
China Updates Crypto Rankings, Downgrades Bitcoin
The China Center for Information Industry Development has updated its crypto rankings. The list contains 33 crypto projects, ranked overall and in three separate categories. High up in the overall ranking are EOS, Ethereum, and Bitshares. Bitcoin, however, has been downgraded.
Also read: 160 Crypto Exchanges Seek to Enter Japanese Market, Regulator Reveals
China’s Fifth Ranking
The China Center for Information Industry Development (CCID), under the country’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, officially published its fifth crypto rankings on Sept. 20. Thirty-three crypto projects are ranked. Each is given an overall score and a separate score for each of the three categories – basic technology, applicability, and creativity.
Japanese Regulator Unveils Crypto Regulation Updates
Japan’s financial regulator has recently unveiled the current state of the crypto regulations in the country. Three crypto operators are currently being reviewed. With 160 companies wanting to enter the space, the regulator plans to add more personnel to help review new applicants. In addition, a self-regulatory plan for crypto exchanges has also been submitted to the regulator.
Also read: 160 Crypto Exchanges Seek to Enter Japanese Market, Regulator Reveals
Current State of Crypto Regulations
Japan’s top financial regulator, the Financial Services Agency (FSA), published several documents from its fifth crypto study group meeting on Wednesday, September 12. The current state of crypto regulations and exchange registrations were discussed.
Firefox to Firewall Cryptomining Malware in Upcoming Browser Updates
The Mozilla Foundation has outlined new features on its Firefox browser to help enhance web performance and protect its users with a default blocker for cryptomining malware. The Vice President of product, Nick Nguyen made it known on Thursday, August 30, 2018, that future versions of the open-source browser will by default, block crypto mining malware
The post Firefox to Firewall Cryptomining Malware in Upcoming Browser Updates appeared first on CCN
Thailand Updates ICO Licensing Progress, Warns Firm Issuing Token Without License
The Thai Securities and Exchange Commission has revealed the number of applications it has received from businesses wanting to operate initial coin offering portals in the country. However, at least one company is already issuing a token without obtaining approval. Meanwhile, the first Thai Stock Exchange-listed company to launch a token has a new plan to revitalize its coin.
Also read: Yahoo! Japan Confirms Entrance Into the Crypto Space
ICO Portal Applications
The Thai Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the country’s main cryptocurrency regulator, has revealed the number of companies that have applied to operate initial coin offering (ICO) portals in the country.
China Updates Crypto Ranking – BTC Makes Top 10
China has updated its crypto ranking, adding two projects to the previous month’s list. Bitcoin Core (BTC) has significantly improved, making the top 10 list for the first time. Crypto projects are ranked in three categories: technology, application, and innovation.
Also read: Yahoo! Japan Confirms Entrance Into the Crypto Space
33 Crypto Projects Ranked
China’s Center for Information Industry Development (CCID), under the country’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, officially released its fourth crypto project ranking on Friday. The new list consists of 33 crypto projects, two more than the previous list.
Trezor & Binance: Critical Updates on EOS Mainnet Token Swap
Binance has provided an update in regards to the upcoming EOS Mainnet Token Swap.
Don’t Miss the Deadline
The team at Binance has communicated directly with the EOS team and has since confirmed that the EOS ERC20 Token Network will freeze at 9:59:59 PM UTC on June 2nd.
According to an official announcement, Binance will reopen EOS deposits until 4:00 PM UTC on June 2nd. After that time, the popular exchange “will suspend deposits again and process the EOS Mainnet Swap as previously announced.”
Minexcoin Roadmap Details Atomic Swaps, Debit Cards and Other Updates
MinexSystems, a blockchain solutions company for products such as Minexcoin and MinexBank, recently released its updated 2018 roadmap. The roadmap extends until the fourth quarter of 2018, designated to enlarge a holistic ecosystem for MNX. The company believes that 2018 will become a year when decentralized payment methods will receive great support among not only crypto-enthusiast but the general public too.