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More and more companies all over the world are starting to see the benefits of digital currency and its underlying blockchain technology. The year 2015 has seen some spectacular numbers regarding VC investment in Bitcoin and the blockchain, and Cherubic Ventures will add another RBM 30m to that total. Funding future innovation in the digital currency and blockchain industry is never a bad thing.
Also read: Bitcoin Education – Blockchain.info And The Bitcoin Blockchain
There has been a lot of talk regarding the digitization of money in the past few months. Those plans became even more viable once the announcement was made by Safe.Cash regarding the digital Euro tokens coming our way in 2016. Bitcoin offers a lot of potential to be used as an activist tool, but will these digital fiat currencies offer the same functionality?
The time is almost upon us to kick off the Bitfilm Festival 2015, which will once again start in Berlin. Similar to last year’s event, there will be various short and long films competing in this festival and viewers will be able to vote on the movie they like best by sending Bitcoin donations to a specific address.
Also read: NextBank Aims To Offer Global Blockchain-based Financial Services
Traditional financial institutions all over the world are still not too keen on Bitcoin or anything associated with this term. However, once you start mentioning “blockchain technology”, you will definitely have all their attention. It is this blockchain technology that will allow EU citizens to start using digital Euros for frictionless payments in 2016.
Also read: Bitcoin Overall Outlook Still Positive Despite VC Funds Decline
Although the partnership between CleverCoin and Safe.Cash has nothing to do with Bitcoin as currency directly, this new platform will, in the end, make the conversion from Euro to Bitcoin much easier. Both consumers and merchants in the EU are looking for quicker and more efficient payment methods, rather than using card payments or paper money.
Finding a Bitcoin-friendly bank seems to be an impossible task these days unless you live in the UK or Germany. Most people know the name Fidor Bank as being the only Bitcoin-friendly bank in existence, but there is a new kid on the block. NextBank has announced their upcoming launch and they have some interesting tricks up their sleeve.
Also read: New Bit-X Bitcoin Debit Cards Shipping Out
Making a cryptocurrency exchange competitive is not an easy task these days. Granted, most everyday consumers want access to quick, easy, and convenient payment methods when it comes to exchanging fiat currency and digital currency. However, most of these exchange platforms are fighting regulatory measures, especially in the US. Laissez Faire is a different creature, as this exchange is legal in 49 US States, and they recently added a USD/Dash trading pair.
Also read: Fiat Currency Vs Digital Currency
The year 2015 has been quite an interesting time for Bitcoin and any company active in the cryptocurrency industry. While the total amount of funding from VC’s and business angels has been enormous during the first two-quarters of the year, things have dropped significantly during Q3. What will Q4 hold regarding VC investment? Only time will tell.
Also read: W3C Web Payments Working Group To Push Bitcoin Acceptance
The appeal of combining Bitcoin with gift cards is nothing new in the world of digital currencies. Services like Gyft and eGifter seem to provide a similar service, yet Bitit is doing something entirely different. Rather than letting consumers purchase traditional gift cards with Bitcoin, Bitit offers genuine Bitcoin gift cards. Sharing the love and joy of digital currency is being taken to a new level.
Make sure to read: Jon Fitch Explains The Appeal of Bitcoin and Blockchain Technology
Just a few years ago, no one would have given the concept of crowdfunding a second thought. After all, why would random people you have never met be interested in investing in a project or company you are involved in. Low and behold, crowdfunding has evolved from being a niche market to a powerful tool in terms of raising funds. So much so, that even Belgian bank, ING, wants to get involved in the process.
Make sure to read: World’s First Bitcoin Mining IPO Hosts Campaign on BnkToTheFuture
It is no secret that even major banks and finance groups will have to start rethinking their business model sooner or later. The traditional financial ecosystem is bound to get shaken to its core in the next few years, as developers from all over the world are working hard to bring innovation to the world of finance. Santander Innoventures, who recently invested in Ripple, are keeping all of their options open for now.
Make sure to read: BitcoinPay.Com Releases OpenCart Plugin for Bitcoin Payments
The relationship between Australian banks and Bitcoin companies is one of the most uneasy ones in the world today. Over the past few years, Australian Bitcoin users have faced a lot of scrutiny. Even though taxation of Bitcoin income gives digital currency a more legitimate appeal, the decision was met with a lukewarm reception. Now that some Australian banks have decided to close accounts of Bitcoin startups, things have gone from bad to worse.
Make sure to read: Bitcoin Price Increase Doesn’t Tell The Whole Story
Bitcoin can be used to pay employees in all different kinds of areas. Mixed martial arts might not be in the top 10 of “types of employees” looking to get paid in Bitcoin but that isn’t keeping Jon Fitch from sticking with the digital currency. In fact, Jon is the first MMA fighter to be fully paid in Bitcoin. Quite an interesting turn of events, but it seems to work out quite well.
Also read: OpenLedger Decentralizes FinTech Exchange Concept
The past few days have been pretty interesting for the Bitcoin community, with noticeable price changes being recorded across all major exchanges. After nearly an entire year of flat Bitcoin prices, things started picking up again as of Wednesday evening. After a weekend of downward Bitcoin price manipulation, it looks like things have stabilized just below the US$270 mark.
The worlds of Bitcoin and gaming are not as different from one another as you may initially think. Both ecosystems attract a similar crowd, where gamers and Bitcoin enthusiasts, usually, have a tech-savvy background and keen interest in discovering new things. It only makes sense, then, to see more video game marketplaces accept Bitcoin as a payment method, and after G2A.com did just that earlier last week, Kinguin decided to follow that example just a few days later.
Make sure to read: Gaming Marketplace Giant G2A.COM Accepts Bitcoin
It has been quite an interesting week for Bitcoin and fintech enthusiasts. In what may be the biggest headline of the week – which hasn’t received all that much attention – a decentralized FinTech Exchange platform was announced. OpenLedger is the name, and the goal is to let users convert bitcoin to smart coins that can be used within a completely decentralized system.
Make sure to read: Gaming Marketplace Giant G2A.COM Accepts Bitcoin
Bitcoin companies have to keep evolving their business model at all times, if they want to stay ahead of their competitors. Rolling out new services, increasing staff numbers, and expanding the business on an international level all cost a lot of money, and funds have to come from somewhere. Conducting an IPO gives company owners an idea on whether or not there is an interest in their service. That being said, a Bitcoin mining company hadn’t IPO’d before, until now.
Make sure to read: E-Coin Hosts Equity Crowdfunding Campaign on BnkToTheFuture
Bitcoin adoption hinges on two core principles: merchant adoption, and consumer awareness. Over the course of the past two years, merchant adoption has steadily increased all over the world, while consumer awareness remains something that still needs to be worked on. Little over 24 hours ago, news broke that gaming industry giant G2A.COM is now accepting Bitcoin payments.
Make sure to read: RibbitRewards Digital Wallet Adds Ethereum Support – Ripple Integration Soon
The financial sector as we know it has undergone many changes over this last 12 months. Even though there has been a disturbing lack of innovation from within the sector itself, the accelerated development of new technologies is making up for that. If all things go to plan, technology firms will be able to offer access to the payments system without relying on larger banks.
Make sure to read: NairaEx Aims To Restore Bitcoin’s Prestige in Nigeria
Bitcoin is often touted as being the perfect solution to bring financial services to people living in unbanked and underbanked nations of the world. Traditional financial institutions often don’t see the benefit in investing in these areas, as the costs far outweigh the benefits. But is Bitcoin really the future of these nations? NairaEx, a newly launched Bitcoin exchange in Nigeria, certainly seems to think so.
Make sure to read: Blockchain Technology To Improve TransferWise’s Disruptive Money Transfer Service?
The world as we know it is being disrupted on all sides, and various companies are vying to be the top contender for their services. Transportation disruption is nothing new and there are several major companies working towards that end already. But in Asia, different names are appearing on the scene. Go-Jek and GrabTaxi might not be major names in the Western world just yet, but in Indonesia, they are two of the most famous services.
Make sure to read: Bitcoin Boosts Number of Non-Cash Payments In Asia
