Search Results For: bitcoin regulation
Bitcoin Sweden regulation: the blockchain to record property deals
A new project for Bitcoin Sweden regulation has moved to its second phase. In fact, the Sweden’s land registry authority, the so- called Lantmäteriet, wants to use the distributed ledger tech with the main goal of recording property deals.
This project was conducted by the blockchain startup called ChromaWay and the consultancy group Kairos Future, that are also working in partnership with two banks: SBAB and Landshypotek.
Talking about the project’s potential, ChromaWay CEO Henrik Hjelte commented:
“It could be a great benefit for economic growth”.
Also, he said that Sweden is the ideal country to test a distributed ledger system for land titles, because trust in public authorities is higher than elsewhere and it could influence other countries to do the same in the next future.
Thanks to this system, a buyer and seller would open a contract where banks and the land registry can view the workflow of the deal, such as due dates for payments.
“In the blockchain confirmation of each step in the workflow is made with a hash, like the blockchain normally. Everyone has the same information and you can check it yourself,” said Magnus Kempe of Kairos Future.
Another use case for this project is the potential verification of an IOU issued by the bank to its property buyer.
“That part is going to be hidden for the others in the contract. You will only have the hash confirming from the bank that the IOU has been signed,” commented Kempe.
That said, SBAB Bank explaind it has no imminent plans to implement the blockchain:
“Our reason to participate in the project has not been to actually implement the solution in our current processes. But rather an opportunity for us to get a better understanding of the blockchain technology and how it might possibly fit in our future products/offerings.”
Bitcoin Sweden regulation: what is the EU doing?
Recently, the EU passed a directive that puts more weight behind digital signatures; a similar bill has been proposed in Arizona too.
Click here to read more about EU regulation related to bitcoin and blockchain.
A the moment, this land registry project is looking at new ways for working at this issue.
“Actually, the land registry today, they don’t receive much physical paper, they get PDFs of the contracts which are signed electronically so they don’t store the physical contracts. What we are thinking of is, you can actually sign the contract digitally in the blockchain to the land registry, they can award the land titles and then you can throw away the paper so you’re not dependent on the physical archive.”
According to ChromaWay’s Henrik Hjelte, the use of blockchain could be disruprive in order to manage ownership of property and improving transparency in real estate sales.
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Bitcoin exchange regulation in China
Soon a new bitcoin exchange regulation in China may be required to ensure know-your-customers (KYC) verifications.
According to an article published by Caixin, the People’s Bank of China issued a new paper for the Chinese exchanges on which it is looking for comments for the proposed regulation.
This move is part of a effort by the Chinese central bank in order to have a bitcoin exchange regulation and avoid money laundering and other financial crimes.
According to the official press release, this paper explains both a regulation related to the anti-money laundering (AML) issues and the creation of a customer identification system.
Bitcoin users will have to own an on-site certification if they want to deposit funds. To do se, they will have to present identification at the time of registration. Also, for clients who hold more than ¥50,000 (over $7,200) in volume, a remote video certification will be required to authenticate their own identity.
The document also contemplates that there must be a senior management team who controls AML procedures and reports dubious transactions.
This news come after the PBoC’s decision made back in January that indicates to intervene in the Chinese bitcoin market during this period of heavy bitcoin price volatility.
Since then, bitcoin exchanges started to implement several new policies, ending margin trading and freezing withdrawals for a few cryptocurrencies.
At the moment, while I’m writing this article, bitcoin Chinese exchange withdrawals are still frozen.
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Regulation Of Bitcoin – The European Bitcoin Convention — 2013 Amsterdam
Regulation Of Bitcoin at the European Bitcoin Convention
Wieske
Ebbe (Dutch Central Bank), Michael Maier (Fidor Bank), Niels Ploeger
(Amsterdam Police), Joerg Platzer (Crypto Economics Consulting Group)
& Casper Riekerk (Finnius Lawyers)
Recorded By IamSatoshi
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Exploring the Use of Geothermal Energy for Bitcoin Mining: Opportunities and Challenges in El Salvador and Beyond
Introduction
As the cryptocurrency industry continues to grow, the energy consumption of Bitcoin mining has become a concern for many. Bitcoin mining, the process by which new bitcoins are created, requires high computational power, which in turn requires a large amount of energy. This has led to an increased focus on sustainable energy sources for Bitcoin mining. Geothermal energy, a renewable and low-carbon energy source, is one potential solution to this problem.
Advantages of Using Geothermal Energy for Bitcoin Mining
Geothermal energy has several advantages that make it an attractive option for Bitcoin mining. Firstly, geothermal energy is a reliable source of power as it is generated from the Earth’s heat, which is constant and abundant. Secondly, geothermal energy is relatively low-cost compared to other forms of renewable energy. This can help reduce the overall energy costs of Bitcoin mining operations. Lastly, geothermal energy has a low environmental impact, making it a sustainable option for Bitcoin mining.
One example of a company that is successfully using geothermal energy for Bitcoin mining is Genesis Mining, one of the largest cloud mining companies in the world. They have a geothermal-powered mining farm in Iceland, which allows them to use renewable and low-cost energy to mine bitcoins. This has helped them to reduce their overall energy costs and increase their profits. Another example is the case of El Salvador, where the government is actively promoting the use of geothermal energy for Bitcoin mining through incentives and regulations.
Limitations of Using Geothermal Energy for Bitcoin Mining
While geothermal energy has many advantages, there are also limitations to using it for Bitcoin mining. One limitation is that geothermal resources are not widely available, and are mostly concentrated in certain areas such as Iceland and New Zealand. This can make it difficult for companies to access geothermal energy, especially if they are located in areas without geothermal resources. Another limitation is the high cost of setting up geothermal power plants. This can be a significant barrier for companies that want to switch to geothermal energy for Bitcoin mining.
Current State of Research and Development
Despite these limitations, the use of geothermal energy for Bitcoin mining is an area of active research and development. Companies such as Genesis Mining are actively researching ways to improve the efficiency and scalability of geothermal energy for Bitcoin mining. Additionally, research and development of geothermal energy for Bitcoin mining can help increase the availability of geothermal resources, making it more accessible for companies around the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, geothermal energy is a promising option for Bitcoin mining. It offers several advantages such as reliability, low cost, and low environmental impact. However, there are also limitations to using geothermal energy such as limited availability and high costs. With ongoing research and development, it is likely that geothermal energy for Bitcoin mining will become more widely available and cost-effective in the future. Countries like El Salvador are showing how it is possible to use geothermal energy to power Bitcoin mining operations while reducing environmental impact. By promoting the use of renewable energy sources and providing incentives for companies, governments can play a key role in encouraging the sustainable development of the cryptocurrency industry.
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What Are the Investment Returns on Bitcoin Mining
You know about Bitcoin: The original digital currency based on blockchain. Every transaction is written to a shared ledger and verified by the rest of the network. Each set of approved transactions is a “block” added to the chain.
But you may have missed the buzz on Bitcoin mining. It’s not just for web geeks or digital currency traders. There are thousands of people around the world looking to profit in this way.
What is Bitcoin Mining?
Participants try to guess a random number generated by the system. Those who get the answer “own” the next block of transactions and collect a reward; currently 12.5 bitcoins. If you manage this, you can also collect fees on transactions in the block you created.
This number comes from a complex equation. In the early days it was handled by ordinary computers, and then GPUs (graphics processing units), which were better suited to the task. Over the years the equation has evolved in difficulty to regulate the rate of discovery.
Technology
Bitcoin miners now rely on hardware-intensive systems known as ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit), which appeared in 2013. If you own or can get access to such a system, you stand to guess a fair amount of numbers on the blocks constantly taking shape.
If this sounds like an easy way to profit, it is. Many people have joined the ranks of digital currency miners. However, with so much competition, the big question is whether there are still decent profits to be made.
Can You Still Make Money?
The more computers that are trying to capture the number, the harder the equation becomes and the fewer numbers you get.
But Bitcoins also tend to go up in value. It was a price spike in 2013 that launched mining as a popular investment option. Speculators agree that the value of Bitcoin should continue rising as its popularity grows.
Investments Required
To maximize your return on Bitcoin mining, you need an ASIC system. These computing solutions utilize high-end hardware that generates a lot of heat. Such a setup requires state-of-the-art cooling and ventilation systems along with higher utility bills to operate all of this.
Without an ASIC of your own, your odds of scoring aren’t good. It is possible to save some money by leasing an ASIC rather than buying one outright.
Other Options
Fortunately for the smaller investor, recent years have seen the rise of cloud mining, or cloud hashing. This response to growing demand is basically another cloud service where you get to lease a portion of someone else’s ASCI-enabled data center.
A cheaper option, albeit with smaller potential rewards, is a mining pool. This is a third-party service that uses investor funds to do their own mining and shares out the profits. The upside of this is that you don’t need technical or financial knowledge at all; you just need to come up the minimum investment required by the service.
Profit Potential
You can join some of these investment pools for as little as $500. Some of these third-party services state that you could earn your investment back in as little as two months or so, and start seeing profit after three. When these claims are legit, or even close to it, you’re seeing a remarkable and fairly consistent ROI better than most forms of investment.
However, transaction fees are currently voluntary on the part of individual users of Bitcoin, as is whether the transaction should even be included in a block. This is encouraged as the transaction is more quickly verified if it’s part of a block. Even so, your profit depends on the current value of Bitcoin, the number and size of transaction fees involved, and the number of people sharing the rewards.
Federal Regulation
In 2015 the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) declared that digital currency trading is legal and subject to fair trading laws. However, this doesn’t guarantee that you’re protected. Prudent investors always do the homework: Know who you’re dealing with and determine realistic expectations.
Risks in Bitcoin Mining
The Bitcoin reward is halved every 210,000 blocks, or about four years. As the reward approaches zero, it may not be profitable at all unless transaction fees are increased and enforced. And while the general trend is up, there’s also fluctuation in Bitcoin value.
There’s also a question of integrity. As more cloud services spring up, you’ll have a widely varying scenario of payouts, contract stipulations, and the potential for dishonest reporting; even outright fraud. Also, on the downside: The IRS says that mining profits may be taxed as individual investment gains!
Is Bitcoin mining still a good investment? At the present time, yes, and hopefully for years to come with appropriate changes. Are you ready to sit back and let the computers make you bitcoins?
Jen McKenzie is a writer at Assignyourwriter company (https://assignyourwriter.co.uk/team/jen-mckenzie/) and an independent business consultant from New York. She writes extensively on business, education and human resource topics. When Jennifer is not at her desk working, you can usually find her hiking or taking a road trip with her two dogs. You can reach Jennifer (https://twitter.com/jenmcknzie) @jenmcknzie (https://twitter.com/jenmcknzie)
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4 Places Where Bitcoin Can Actually Be Used
Bitcoin has transitioned into a stage of its evolution at which it is viewed almost entirely as a commodity. We discuss how to store it, compare it to gold, consider its long-term value, and generally treat it as a financial asset – even, to some extent, like a stock. This is perfectly appropriate given that the cryptocurrency’s volatility, as well as constantly wavering government positions on regulation, have kept it from being adopted as a widely used currency. The argument is over as to whether it is “more” currency or “more” commodity. It is the latter.
What sets bitcoin apart in some respects though is that it never did have to be one or the other. Consider the comparison to gold again. You may hold a stash of gold as a long-term protection of a chunk of your assets, and with the hope that it will appreciate in value. But you can’t exactly buy something online by chipping off a piece of gold (which in most cases you don’t even hold in a physical sense) and handing it over. This is true of most major investable commodities – but it is not true of bitcoin. As you’re likely aware, there are still places that it can be used like ordinary money, even though it is best viewed as a long-term vehicle.
For those interested, the following are among the most noteworthy places you can actually use the cryptocurrency for practical purposes.
1.) Travel Booking Websites
Bitcoin made something of a loud entry into the travel booking business when it was accepted by Expedia and Air. These were among the biggest or at least best known companies to embrace cryptocurrency early on, and even though Expedia has since renounced cryptocurrency, the notion of using bitcoin for travel-related costs caught on. Travel platforms accepting bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies still include various air travel and hotel booking companies, which means people are free to address what are often some of their biggest expenses in a given year via cryptocurrency.
2.) Microsoft Gaming
Fairly early on in bitcoin’s expansion to the mainstream, it was attached to video games, not necessarily through Microsoft so much as Steam. An online service that allows people to download a gigantic range of games, Steam was in some ways a perfect vehicle for purely digital transactions. However, the services topped accepting bitcoin due to volatility. In the meantime, Microsoft kept right on accepting cryptocurrency and is now one of the more significant companies doing so. In particular, Xbox-related purchases through Microsoft platforms can be conducted via bitcoin.
3.) Gaming
gaming is an interesting category, because it is almost like its own separate gaming industry. It’s comprised of and table games, digital slot arcades, roulette, and more, and in some cases a site will also have an included sportsbook. Payment options vary greatly, with some sites requiring credit card information and others using payment processors; in some cases, games are presented for free play as well. However, there is now a small but growing list of online sites that do take cryptocurrency deposits, and which also issue crypto payouts. It’s not a stretch to say that in short time bitcoin could be the norm for this particular form of entertainment.
4.) Shopify
Shopify is a more specific mention here, but feels like one of the more significant areas for bitcoin adoption, simply because it represents a busy, peer-to-peer marketplace. The fact that bitcoin can be used to buy goods via Spotify indicates that in some cases people prefer it when dealing with other people, rather than companies, and opens the door to all kinds of potential crypto marketplaces in the future.
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The Correlation Between Gold and Bitcoin
The digital age embraces new technology and adapts to it very quickly. Nowadays, investors have an opportunity to diversify their portfolio with digital assets and not just physical ones. However, while digital assets have risen in fame in the last few years, their volatility and unpredictability have investors question whether or not these types of investments are actually safe. On the other hand, gold has always been a “safe bet” among investors.
The main reason is that gold is an excellent hedge against inflation, global instability and economic crisis. As for Bitcoin, many people have claimed that it’s the digital gold, but so far, Bitcoin was unable to provide the same level of investment security as gold. Many people still wonder if Bitcoin and gold are correlated. When comparing prices, the Bitcoin price is certainly very volatile, while gold pretty much retains its price with slight variations. Here’s more insight into the correlation between gold and Bitcoin.
Difference of investment
As mentioned before, investors have an opportunity to opt for digital assets instead of just physical ones. The rise of Bitcoin’s price in 2017 that was alongside a price increase in gold made people believe these two assets are correlated. However, people who invested in Bitcoin did so mainly because this digital asset was unregulated by governments and they intended to reap the benefits of that situation.
On the other hand, people investing in gold were looking for a safe investment to secure their funds, as gold is usually used for that. In other words, the cryptocurrency market was explored by investors who were speculating on the outcome, while gold was sought after by investors looking to secure their funds. Simply put, there was no direct correlation other than the investors’ interest in both assets during the same period.
Different assets
The difference between the assets upholds their lack of correlation. Gold is a physical asset, which means its use and properties are much more flexible than Bitcoin which is purely a digital asset. Gold has inherent value, it can be used in various industries and has cultural value as well. That means that gold is, and will always be highly sought after and on high demand. That’s why the gold price has remained steady throughout the years compared to Bitcoin prices that experience extreme volatility. For instance, Bitcoin reached its top price of $17.900 on December 22, 2017.
On the 5th of February, 2018, the price of Bitcoin fell to $6.200, which is more than 50% decrease in less than two months. The price of gold is determined by the global economic situation and demand, whereas digital assets are unregulated and their prices are uncertain at best. For example, gold prices go up whenever there are fluctuations in the stock market. Investors prefer an asset that can secure their funds or even yield a profit as opposed to an asset that’s too risky.
Market dynamics
The gold market is more mature and well-developed, as well as regulated. On the other hand, the crypto market is fairly new and still in the process of adjusting. The increased popularity of digital assets also leads to the adoption of more cryptocurrencies. Aside from Bitcoin, there are over a thousand different currencies on the market. However, not all currencies are sought after or have the potential to become investments. That’s why the crypto market still cannot correlate with gold, but that doesn’t mean digital assets won’t experience more stability in the future.
Even though the idea behind Bitcoin and blockchain technology was originally to be unregulated by officials and decentralized from a banking system, it seems that it does require a bit of regulation in order to stabilize and operate on an optimal level. The lack of security and safety does force investors to tread carefully when investing in cryptocurrencies, whereas gold can provide certain security even in the worst of scenarios.
Relationship between assets
So far, experts have been arguing about the existing or nonexistent correlation between gold and Bitcoin. Regardless of the current situation, there’s undeniably a relationship between the two. Both assets are considered hedges against inflation and global economic difficulties. However, gold is still perceived as a more stable investment than digital assets.
The fact of the matter is that whenever cryptocurrency value decreases, gold prices go up, as investors return to their “safe haven” investment. The main reason is digital asset volatility. Increased volatility means greater risks and investors would prefer not to risk it, making investments that are meant to secure their funds. With that in mind, when the digital currency market stabilizes, the relationship between these two assets may improve and there may even be more correlation between them as well.
Whether there’s a correlation between gold and Bitcoin is still debatable. Where one party sees a correlation, others see coincidence. That’s why it’s difficult to determine the relationship between these two assets. As for now, gold is considered a less risky and a more flexible investment, whereas Bitcoin, although perceived as a hedge, is considered too volatile to overtake gold. From an investor’s point of view, gold and digital assets are two very different assets.
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Bic Camera: new merchants accept Bitcoin in Japan
A new electronics retailer decided to start accepting bitcoin in Japan as one of the available payment methods in all its shops within the country.
It is Bic Camera that began to accept bitcoin at several shops back in April, and that is now it is looking to expand this payment after seeing huge levels of demand from its customers.
The retailer is taking payments in the digital currency thanks to a partnership with the domestic bitcoin exchange called bitFlyer, so they can convert bitcoin into yen right after the acceptance.
Bic Camera sells a wide range of products, including cameras, computers and home appliances like fridges and washing machines.
News that Bic Camera is accepting bitcoin at more locations came after the Japanese government’s new regulations around digital currencies and the exchange services. Among those, for example, there is a legal definition for bitcoin as a kind of payment instrument and the decision to eliminate bitcoin taxation.
Also, this could be one reason why we might aspect a new growth in the bitcoin price in the next days.
Read more about Bitcoin in Japan here.
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Bitcoin all time high: Read here the possible reasons
Today, on June 6th, a new Bitcoin all time high has been hit.
According to CoinMarketcap, in fact, the bitcoin price reached a value of $2,911.86, surpassing the previous bitcoin all time high of $2,791.69 set less than a month ago on May 25th.
Bitcoin began June with a price of about $2,500, trading at $2,300 on June 1st.
What are the reasons for this new bitcoin all time high?
As always in these events, many are the possible causes for this recent growth in the bitcoin price.
Here a quick report on what is happening in the bitcoin industry during these days.
Click on the link below to read more about that specific topic.
- Bitcoin regulation in Japan that lead more merchants to accept the digital currency;
- Uncertain administration by Donald Trump. A dubious politic always lead investors to take their money in a “Safe Heaven”;
- Growing demand in Asia;
- ICOs used as a faster way to raise funds
Do you think there are more reasons for this bitcoin all time high?
Comment the news with us!
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Bitcoin Russia: a new law proposition by Russia’s Central Bank
The Bitcoin Russia saga is continuing to move on, as the Russia’s Central Bank is writing a new law focused on digital currencies.
Reports suggest that the Bank of Russia is looking to recognize digital currencies as digital goods, so they will be subjected to regular taxation.
Also, this law will include info on how the government will keep an eye on and regulate domestic marketplaces.
According to Bloomberg and RBC, in fact, deputy governor of the Bank of Russia, Olga Skorobogatova discussed her institution’s work on new legislation.
On May 25th, Skorobogatova explained that legislation could be introduced in the Russia’s national legislature – or the so- called Duma – in June.
Digital currencies “should be regulated, because volumes are increasing compared to the previous year. If people are engaged in this, they have to pay money for it, and we have to have a clear understanding of how to control this activity”, explained Skorobogatova, according to a recent report published by Bloomberg.
So, Russia is moving ever closer toward some kind of legislative framework for bitcoin and other digital currencies.
Initially, the government seemed to want to take a contrary stance on the creation of issuance of the money surrogates and Russian officials revealed their idea to ban bitcoin as illegal.
That position has changed during the recent months, and the enthusiasm on the blockchain started to increase among both officials from the Bank of Russia as well as the Russian government.
For example, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev pushed for research into public applications of the distributed ledger tech.
Read more about Bitcoin Russia regulation here.
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