The newest Deutsche Börse Blockchain project
A new Deutsche Börse blockchain project was unveiled today as the market operator revealed a new blockchain proof-of-concept to manage bank cash transfers.
The so-called ‘CollCo’ (or, ‘collateralized coin’), is the new Deutsche Börse blockchain project created together with Eurex Clearing, or the clearing house used by the Deutsche Börse.
Using the same code of the Hyperledger Fabric project as a basis, the company wants to obtain a patent approval for this revolutionary transfer solution available thanks to the distributed ledger.
According to the official press release shared by the Deutsche Börse, the next step is to work with customers, regulatory and central banking contacts.
This is the official description for CollCo:
“All peer-to-peer payments based on tokenised commercial bank money are accompanied by movements of collateral between the respective Eurex Clearing members using the [central counter party’s] functionality and rules.”
The press release continues by saying that the idea links together “existing and potential new use cases” as the “handling of margining requirements, credit risk free payments, and delivery-versus-payment asset/value transfer on the blockchain”.
The Deutsche Börse has spent much time during the past year testing several blockchain use cases, including one thanks to a partnership with Germany’s central bank.
Also, in February 2016, the company partecipated at the New York blockchain startup Digital Asset Holding’s $60m funding round.
During a speech given last week, CEO Carsten Kengeter talked about the so-dubbed “Exchange 4.0” powered by next-generation technologies.
“Exchange 4.0 will use blockchain intelligently. Exchange 4.0 will convert data into investment tools. Finally, Exchange 4.0 will be as varied – and perhaps also as easy to use – as an app store,” he explained.
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Blockchain Cybersecurity: read the full report
As explained by a major IT agency for the European Union, financial companies should be careful to blockchain cybersecurity issues if they want to implement the blockchain.
The European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA), in fact, published a new report on the distributed ledger, highlighting the security issues that large companies might experience if they decide to adopt blockchain tech.
Key management, data privacy and smart contracts are some of the most important topics discussed in the ENISA report.
This is the first time the agency, created back in 2004, published a report on the technology. Last year, ENISA published a glossary on its official website.
On the page there was an overview of blockchain, saying “it is too soon to tell whether blockchain will live up to its promise”.
According to this newest report, financial businesses should give high attention to security issues.
Udo Helmbrecht, executive director of ENISA, explained in an official statement:
“Cybersecurity should be considered as a key element in the blockchain implementation by financial institutions.”
Code review and mechanisms for accessing to distributed networks should be important, commented the report. Also it highlights that banks and financial institutions should think about the blockchain cybersecurity challenges of handling digital asset wallets.
Click on the link below to read the full copy of the report:
WP2016 3-1 4 Blockchain Security by CoinDesk.
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Central Bank of Russia works on the Blockchain
Central bank of Russia is continuing to work and study blockchain applications, having announced the creation of a new FinTech group focused in part on the distributed ledger.
Officially formed on 28th December 2016, the Russian group includes representatives from several important Russian banks including Alfa Bank, Sberbank and VTB. Also, it includes payments processor Qiwi and the National System of Payment Cards (NSPK).
Earlier this week, the company said Qiwi CEO Sergey Solonin will be the association’s new chief.
In addition to the blockchain, Central Bank of Russia explained it will also investigate identification technologies and new payment system frameworks within the group.
Olga Skorobogatova, or the bank’s deputy governor, explained in an official statement:
“The Association’s key objectives will include the development and introduction of new technological solutions to ensure the development of the Russian financial market. It will also promote digitalisation of the Russian economy.”
This news reveals that Bank of Russia intends to play a leading role in the test and development of blockchain applications within the country and not only. Its interest in the technology is not a secret.
Recenlty, the Russian central bank has been undertaking a hands-on education into the ledger, announcing a new system for financial messaging called Masterchain back in October to improve its national payment system.
Also, the Russian government has been exploring the blockchain and it announced that Bitcoin is not an illegal method of payment.
Click here to read more news about Russia and Blockchain.
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Halcash Bitcoin: buy and sell with ATMs in Spain
Holytransaction Trade is a new virtual exchange to convert your Bitcoin into fiat currencies and vice versa, offered by the HolyTransaction wallet company.
You would think that Holytransaction Trade is a service that can be found anywhere on the web to sell and buy bitcoins. But it is not true, as HolyTransaction Trade allows you to do much more.
HalCash Bitcoin ATM in Spain
On HolyTransaction Trade you can convert bitcoin into fiat currencies and pick them up physically in a banking ATM.
Thanks to a partnership with HalCash, in fact, you can convert your Bitcoin into Euro and withdraw cash in every banking ATM (only banks that are members of HalCash’s network) based both in Spain and Poland with a total of more than 10,000 ATMs in Europe.
HalCash Bitcoin withdrawal process is very simple and you can do it in a few steps following the official guide provided by HolyTransaction.
Instead of typical platform, Holytransaction Trade will provide you an instant exchange as soon as the deposit is confirmed on the Bitcoin network.
Also, the newest HolyTransaction platform allows you to buy Bitcoin in Spain with Teleingreso, a fast, easy and secure payment option that allows you to buy Bitcoin through its network of more than 3000 ATM machines, 2000 post offices and 300 retail outlets.
When you select Teleingreso as online payment method, the system automatically generates a unique 9-digit transaction code. The transaction is pending until you visit any of the locations to make a payment, and then the information is instantly provided to us.
To use HolyTransaction Trade, you don’t need a wallet on HolyTransaction.com.
In fact, to use HolyTransaction Trade there is no need of registering on the platform and you can also use our exchange platform if you have a different wallet provider.
Also, the newest HolyTransaction platform allows you to create a prepaid virtual visa card with Bitcoin to buy everything you want online, as almost every e-commerce accepts VISA payments.
HolyTransaction Trade for mobile
Each service is available and works in less than 24h, and can also be done on your smartphone, using the HolyTransaction Trade app you can download on Google Play for free.
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Blockchain Healthcare Applications for US FDA
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed today its intent to study Blockchain Healthcare Applications.
The American agency who approves and regulates medical products announced its decision in a press release published by IBM Watson Health, that will team together with the FDA.
IBM will study how data from electronic medical records, clinical trials and health data from devices can be better shared and audited by using the distributed ledger.
To do so, it is not clear if IBM and the FDA will use a private blockchain or the Bitcoin one. Details may be published during next months.
Initial tests will be focused on clinical trials and real-world evidence data related to oncological data.
However, the two companies positioned the trial as one that could one day mitigate the potential of patient privacy breaches during electric exchanges.
The official press release revealed:
“By keeping an audit trail of all transactions on an unalterable distributed ledger, blockchain technology establishes accountability and transparency in the data exchange process.”
According to the press release, the IBM and the FDA will work together for a two-years period and their goal is publishing their researches in 2017.
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Bitcoin Excel Support among Microsoft projects
Microsoft officially announced its plans to add a Bitcoin Excel support in the upcoming release of its new version of Excel 2017,
This Bitcoin Excel Support will allow users to calculate, format and analyze bitcoin on the program.
Account executive at Microsoft, Martin Butler posted on Twitter:
“In 2017, Excel will be able to recognize, format, calculate and analyze numbers expressed in Bitcoin currency. The new feature will be available for Excel running under Windows 10, Android, Mac OS and iOS, and will include Excel Mobile versions as well.”
Bitcoin expert Alistair Milne first expressed his enthusiasm for the Bitcoin integration. and also the whole Bitcoin community reacted positively for this the company’s effort as it can help a massive adoption for Bitcoin.
“Bitcoin is a currency” for Bitcoin Excel Support
During the past few years, a few government agencies and financial institutions avoided the word “currency” in describing Bitcoin.
The official recognition of Bitcoin worldwide by tax authorities is still a minefield, even if Russia recently declared its decision to recognize Bitcoin as a foreign value.
By the end of 2016, investors and traders were considering Bitcoin as a worldwide currency and the only safe haven asset for its capacity and ability to prevent financial issues and economic problems.
Bitcoin has been crucial in protecting the wealth of most households and businesses in the past 12 months. Maybe it is for this reason that Microsoft coined Bitcoin as a currency for its global users who utilize Microsoft Execel every day.
Microsoft loves cryptocurrencies
Microsoft is heavily involved in the development and deployment of various Blockchain-based platforms, including Azure Blockchain-as-a-service (BaaS) platform, where businesses can use the distributed ledger to simplify the settlement of financial data.
The company also supported meetups about Ethereum and other blockchain-related companies, demonstrating their love for the cryptocurrencies industry development.
To read more about Microsoft and Bitcoin, click here.
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Russian Blockchain to improve national payments
Today we want to talk about the recent Russian Blockchain interest and the country major announcements related to bitcoin and the distributed ledger.
According to Economic Times, Russia wants to use the blockchain technology to improve its national payment system and to simplify clients’ identification.
The Association of Financial Innovation (AFI) in Russia, in fact, prepared a draft for improving the regulation of its own national payment system.
This draft has been shared for a first discussion on the Association’s official web site. After this discussion, the roadmap will be presented to the Russian Duma, the Ministry of finance and the Bank of Russia.
According to the official article, the roadmap includes the use of the distributed ledger technology for users identification. Here an extract:
“Along with expansion opportunities in the short term transactions under the simplified identification of clients, develop an approach and implement a single identifier (possibly using blockchain technology)”.
The Association for Financial Technologies Development (FinTech Association) was recently setted up by the Bank of Russia.
Its participants will study and test the most promising technologies, including the distributed ledger, open application program interface (open API) and remote identification technologies. Also, the association will create a single payment space both for households and legal entities.
Russian Blockchain Interest
Earlier in 2016, the Bank of Russia revealed its technical prototype for financial messaging, based on the blockchain and called Masterchain.
This tool would allow instant confirmation of data; also it would create a few financial opportunities for the market participants to provide game-changing products and services to their clients.
Recenlty Russia seems to love the Blockchain very much. In fact, the national tax authority recognized Bitcoin as a foreign money, expressing the legality of Bitcoin use and transactions.
Also, Siberia Airlines revealed its use of the Ethereum Blockchain Smart Contract in a few transations.
To read more about Russian Blockchain projects, click here.
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Cryptocurrencies 2016: Bitcoin Alternative charts
Today we want to talk about Cryptocurrencies 2016, as the just ended year has been very exciting for several digital currencies and not only for Bitcoin.
A lot of major open-source currencies, in fact, showed a good growth during 2016 and we hope to see significant expansion in 2017.
Below you’ll read charts of the excited cryptocurrencies 2016, during a period between December 27, 2015 to December 26, 2016.
Source: Coindesk.com
Bitcoin
Market Capitalization (Beginning of Year): $6,161,215,794
Market Capitalization (End of Year): $14,590,356,108
Price (Beginning of Year): $411.99
Price (End of Year): $908.17
Price (Annual High): $909.94
For sure Bitcoin is the king of cryptocurrencies 2016, if we talk about value.
It is the oldest blockchain-based asset as today (January 3rd) it celebrates its 8th anniversary: the genesis block was generated on January 3rd 2009.
While I’m writing of this article, Bitcoin price is still growing, surpassing the value of $1,000 for 1 BTC.
Bitcoin price and trading volume were supported by several global circumstances, including the Chinese yuan devaluation, the UK’s Brexit, and the election of a Donald Trump.
Ethereum
Market Capitalization (Beginning of Year): $80,339,474
Market Capitalization (End of Year): $638,041,577
Price (Beginning of Year): $2.83
Price (End of Year): $7.31
Price (Annual High): $19.59
2016 saw Ether, or the digital currencies that powers the Ethereum blockchain – become the best-performing currencies, with a more than 2,000% increase over the first six months of 2016.
The major reason for its instability was the DAO hack, the subsequent failure of the decentralized project, and the creation of ethereum classic. These factors led to a fall of nearly 50% of this altcoin value.
Anyway, Ethereum is the favorite network for possible FinTech permissioned distributed ledgers, enterprise software and Internet of Things applications, so 2017 could will probably show a capitalization increase for ether.
Litecoin
Market Capitalization (Beginning of Year): $149,142,004
Market Capitalization (End of Year): $212,469,870
Price (Beginning of Year): $3.41
Price (End of Year): $4.34
Price (Annual High): $5.55
One of the oldest bitcoin alternative, litecoin showed a stable valuation during 2016, closing $2 above its starting price for the year.
Dash
Market Capitalization (Beginning of Year): $16,081.586
Market Capitalization (End of Year): $70,675,107
Price (Beginning of Year): $2.64
Price (End of Year): $9.67
Price (Annual High): $14.42
In 2015, darkcoin decided to end its association with shadow businesses and the DarkNet by changing its name to Dash.
This re-branding seemed to work and Dash ended 2016 with pricing nearly three times, and a market capitalization close to four times.
Cryptocurrencies 2016 and their future
As we enter 2017, the future for cryptocurrencies seems bright, as the digital currency market will continue to progress and prove its worth as one of the top-performing commodities available today.
We at HolyTransaction are very happy to work with this top-rated cryptocurrencies, as our wallet can store Litecoin, Dash, Ethereum and Bitcoin within a unique login.
Needless to say, we are proud to have chosen the best and the most profitable cryptocurrencies for our multicurrency wallet you can open here for free.
Open your free digital wallet here to store your cryptocurrencies in a safe place.
Bitcoin in 2016: top news about the Blockchain
As the New Year’s Eve is coming, we decided to share with you the best moments of this year with an article about Bitcoin in 2016.
Involved in the best news about the distributed ledger technology, there are not only financial institutions and bank, but specially well-known companies related to countless sectors.
And his proves how the blockchain could be useful for a lots of use cases.
Microsoft and Bitcoin
For example, in 2016 Microsoft announced its involvement in blockchain projects related to security, identity management, and a tool for developers called Microsoft BaaS.
Also, the worldwide company decided to accept Bitcoin among its available methods of payment on its online shop.
IBM and Watson
IBM was another company who dedicated much effort in blockchain research and projects.
Earlier this year, IBM revealed its new blockchain cloud service for helping companies in developing and testing the distributed ledger.
Also, it announced its revolutionary project called Watson, that together with the distributed ledger are “two technologies that will rapidly change the way we live and work, and our clients in Asia Pacific are eager to lead the way in envisioning and creating that future,” explained Randy Walker, CEO at IBM for the Asian area.
Bitcoin in 2016: annual price high
Bitcoin in 2016 also reached its annual high; and as the year comes to the end, its price continues to test the $1,000 mark and it seeks to set a new three-year high.
HolyTransaction in News
You might now that our company had to face some issues earlier this year, but now we are strong than ever and we’re very happy to having developed a new virtual exchange platform called HolyTransaction Funding.
Thanks to this exchange you can buy and sell bitcoin worldwide with no registration required. This means you can instantly convert your digital currency into fiat currencies and vice versa, without sharing your personal data.
On HolyTransaction Trade you can also create a Bitcoin Virtual Credit Card to buy everything you want online.
Open your free digital wallet here to store your cryptocurrencies in a safe place.
Real Estate Blockchain: houses on the ledger
The real estate blockchain is one of the most imporant use case for the distributed ledger as it is a secure and efficient data management system that enable buyers to rely on a live network.
The California-based Blockchain startup called Propy aims at simplifying real estate sales for investors and brokers by using the ledger.
At the moment Propy is available in Dubai, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami and Moscow, so users can buy and rent houses creating a connection with the real estate broker on a blockchain platform.
Ethereum network
Propy exploits the Ethereum network, the blockchain network based on smart contract development.
Using Ethereum Propy can replicate the traditional process of real estate transactions by using a safer ledger.
The development team of Propy spent lots of time and effort in designing a smart contract project to be applied on this business.
Real estate Blockchain: how to use smart contract
Propy’s Andrey Zamovsky explained that the world lacks of “proper and robust electronic property registry”.
Some countries that have a digitalized registry to delete data manipulation issues, so Zamovsky said that a blockchain-based platform can be a very useful tool to eliminate corruption. Also, the lack of sophisticated and secure ledger makes the verification process more difficult for brokers.
To avoid this potential issues on data mismanagement, government agencies often take a few weeks to verify ownership transfers, but this is inefficient and expensive method for customers.
Zamovsky explained:
“A lot of developing countries still don’t have any kind of electronic property registry or have very inefficient ones – vulnerable to corruption, physical damage, hack attacks and fraud. The Blockchain database is replicated on thousands of servers worldwide, so it will be close to impossible to lose registry data.”
To read more about real estate blockchain, click here.
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