Day: May 14, 2018

Ripple has announced a new initiative to support entrepreneur’s development projects in return entrepreneurs will use Ripples XRP currency as well it’s XRP Ledger.

Ripple Launches Initiative to support Entrepreneurs

The San Francisco based blockchain firm launched its Xpring program as a new investment initiative to help fund proven entrepreneurs to “invest in, incubate, acquire and provide grants to companies and projects run by proven entrepreneurs”  in exchange for their input into the XRP Ledger and utilization of the XRP digital coin.

The company made the announcement on their website where they also gave details of new hires brought in to successfully launch the Xpring addition to the Ripple ecosystem. Key among the new additions is Ethan Beard, formerly Director of the Facebook Developer Network who will act as senior vice president for both Ripple and Xpring’s developer program.

Beard was quoted in Ripple’s announcement as saying;

“I love helping startups leverage new technologies and developments to grow. At Facebook, we saw companies in areas like gaming, music, and news use our platform to become big businesses, blockchain and digital assets have the ability to solve important problems and XRP – with it’s speed, scalability and demonstrated real-world use case – is a great tool for startups and entrepreneurs to build businesses around.”

An Impressive Group Already Assembled

Ripple has already put together an impressive group of entrepreneurs who will take part in the program according to their official announcement; those who participating include:

• Scooter Braun, entertainment talent manager, entrepreneur and founder of SB Projects, who is pursuing several endeavors that will use XRP to improve artists’ ability to monetize and manage their content.
• Stefan Thomas, inventor of the Interledger Protocol (ILP), creator of BitcoinJS, co-founder of TxtBear, who just launched a new venture Coil to use XRP and the Interledger Protocol (ILP) for various micropayments applications, such as facilitating “bite-sized” purchases of media. You can learn more about Coil here.
• Thomas McLeod, serial entrepreneur, co-founder and CEO of Omni, who will soon integrate XRP as a currency into Omni’s marketplace.
• Bart and Brad Stephens, co-founders of Blockchain Capital, who have the first fund to accept capital calls in digital assets with a focus on driving innovation in the blockchain sector.

Scooter Braun founder of SB Projects said of the initiative “Blockchain technology and digital assets like XRP will provide artists with new distribution channels and revenue streams,”

The Xpring team finished their announcement by writing that they are vetting hundreds of candidates but are still open to new projects and business applications and invite serious entrepreneurs to visit the Xpring website. At the time of writing Ripple’s XRP was trading 4% higher on the day at $0.74.

Image from Shutterstock

The post Ripple Announces Xpring Initiative to Broaden their Ecosystem appeared first on NewsBTC.

Industrial revolutions lead to visible changes in the world: mechanization, electricity, the assembly line, computers and automation have all been conducive to the advancements of modern civilization.

Next up in the industrial pipeline are ‘cyber physical systems’ which refer to technological fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), nanotechnology, 3D Printing, biotechnology, material science, energy storage, robotics and quantum computing.

The fourth industrial age presents new challenges and opportunities for the evolving world, and blockchain technology appears to be vital in seeing the revolution come to fruition.

Five keys to the future

BitcoinNews recently reported that Wall Street bull Steve Chiavarone believes that blockchain will be one of five key technologies that will ignite the next industrial revolution.

In an interview with CNBC on 11 May, the Wall Street portfolio manager and VP of US financial service company Federated Investors, revealed his bullish predictions for blockchain technology, despite the growing pains that the cryptocurrency markets were going through.

He ranked blockchain in the top five key technologies that would “drive this next industrial revolution” alongside robotics, AI, automation and the IoT.

Blockchain goes beyond Bitcoin

His predictions reflect a present truth; blockchain startups are already venturing into the other four revolutionary catalyst technologies, making blockchain an integral part of the envisioned future.

Blockchain is proving to be transformative in the artificial intelligence industry, opening up new and exciting possibilities for AI companies who are scrambling to implement blockchain protocols into their businesses. Furthermore, the IoT industry which is expected to explode by 2020, is finding itself being paired harmoniously with blockchain technology, even IBM believes they are “best friends” thanks to the distributed architecture of the blockchain.

Robotics and automation will also be benefiting from the blockchain as it provides new mechanisms for the emerging field to utilize; robotics expert Eduardo Castello Ferrer wrote a 2016 paper evaluating how the blockchain could unify robotic operations.

He wrote, “The combination of blockchain with other distributed systems, such as robotic swarm systems, can provide the necessary capabilities to make robotic swarm operations more secure, autonomous, flexible and even profitable.”

The ‘fad’ of the future

Blockchain is the underlying technology that supports Bitcoin, and while it has been acknowledged for its financial capabilities, it was only in the wake of the December 2017 USD 20,000 bull run that serious discussions surrounding the far-reaching benefits of the blockchain began to take shape.

As a part of the fourth industrial revolution, it is clear that blockchain technology and its accompanying cryptocurrencies will guide the other future-shaping industries to their desired destinations.

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The post Ties that Bind: Blockchain to Power Key Disruptive Technologies in Fourth Industrial Revolution appeared first on BitcoinNews.com.

Key Highlights

• Ripple price is currently holding gains above the $0.7200 support level against the US dollar.
• There is a crucial ascending channel in place with support at $0.7300 on the hourly chart of the XRP/USD pair (data source from Kraken).
• The pair may rise in the near term if buyers succeed in breaking the $0.7500 and $0.7580 resistance levels.

Ripple price is placed in a positive zone against the US Dollar and Bitcoin. XRP/USD is likely to climb higher towards $0.8000 if it breaks the $0.7580 resistance.

Ripple Price Supports

There was a no major bearish move below $0.7000 during the past few hours in Ripple price against the US Dollar. The price stayed above the $0.7000 and $0.7100 support levels and is currently trading with a bullish angle. Earlier, there was a downside correction from the $0.7485 high. During the correction, the price broke the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the last wave from the $0.6979 low to $0.7485 high.

However, declines were contained by the $0.7200 support. Buyers successfully protected more losses below the 50% Fib retracement level of the last wave from the $0.6979 low to $0.7485 high. At the moment, there is a crucial ascending channel in place with support at $0.7300 on the hourly chart of the XRP/USD pair. The pair remains well supported on the downside above the $0.7250-0.7200 zone. On the upside, a break above the $0.7500 and $0.7580 resistances are required for an upside acceleration.

Looking at the chart, the current price structure is calling for an upside break above $0.7580. On the flip side, if there is no upside break, the price could break the $0.7200 support to extend the correction. The next major support below $0.7200 is at $0.7000 and $0.6950.

Looking at the technical indicators:

Hourly MACD – The MACD for XRP/USD is mostly flat in the bearish zone.

Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for XRP/USD is currently well above the 50 level.

Major Support Level – $0.7200

Major Resistance Level – $0.7580

The post Ripple Price Analysis: Can XRP/USD Make It? appeared first on NewsBTC.

Huawei has developed a partnership with BTC.com to offer new smartphone owners access to a mobile cryptocurrency wallet, giving Huawei customers the ability to use Bitcoin for commercial transactions.

Huawei has continued to maintain its place as a leading global smartphone manufacturer with a massive stake in the Chinese market. This is a large and influential market, with mobile devices used extensively to access the internet in China, with substantial online commercial activity.

However, it is currently very problematic for many Chinese residents to access cryptocurrency wallets with no access to apps in the Google Play store. There was also a complete ban on ICOs and cryptocurrency exchanges by the Chinese authorities. The addition of a Bitcoin wallet to Huawei phones is potentially the first chance many Chinese people will have to interact with cryptocurrency.

The Huawei app store, known as AppGallery, will provide access to BTC.com’s Bitcoin wallet for new smartphone customers. This will enable them to use the wallet to send, receive, and store the cryptocurrency.

BTC.com is a leading digital wallet for cryptocurrency users. It is part of the now well-known Bitmain Group headquartered in Beijing in China. The Group offers a suite of successful crypto-technologies with extensive involvement in cryptocurrency mining.

Dr Jaime Gonzalo, vice president of Huawei Mobile Services, commented, “We expect to see massive growth in global cryptocurrency adoption habits in the near future. That is the reason why Huawei selected BTC.com as our recommended quality app to manage digital currencies.”

BTC.com is offering an additional incentive to the new owners who may feel some reticence about taking advantage. Ganzalo confirmed, “In addition to being simple and secure to use, BTC.com offers an exclusive reward to all AppGallery users by gifting a starting amount of cryptocurrency.”

The BTC.com wallet is recognized as a secure Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash wallet. It is suitable for new and advanced users. It ensures users can securely store their private keys and provides them with complete control of their cryptocurrencies.

Alejandro de la Torre, vice president of Business Operations for BTC.com stated, “BTC.com is democratizing Bitcoin by breaking down barriers to entry and ensuring new users can access Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash in a simple, secure and trusted environment.”

Consumers who buy a higher end model of the new Huawei or Honor smartphones will find the Huawei app store already installed on their device with access to the BTC.com wallet. Phone owners with earlier models will get access to AppGallery in the future.

China has become one of the largest users of cashless mobile transactions. As commercial and user acceptance of cryptocurrencies continues to grow across the globe, there is an opportunity for them to become the currency for many transactions. BTC.com and Huawei have provided a new opportunity to expand this activity, and it will be interesting to see the outcomes.

Image Source: Flickr – Kārlis Dambrāns

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The post Bitcoin Wallet Released on Huawei App Store appeared first on BitcoinNews.com.

This article originally appeared on Bitcoin Magazine.

A pioneer of public-key cryptography said the blockchain boom represents a “resurgence” of the work he helped start in the 1970s.

Bitcoin prices remain above USD 8,000 but volatility comes to be a major force in today’s trading session. Prices dipped to USD 8,300 levels at one point with the markets taking consideration for several hours. Ultimately, there was a sizeable upward spike that moved prices to a recovery but the sustainability of such levels comes into question.

The day’s signals

1. Prices were moving slightly below USD 8,800 earlier through the trading session.
2. A large selloff made markets touch the bottom at around USD 8,300 levels, with traders taking consideration for several hours.
3. An upward spike pushed prices to USD 8,700 levels again with markets seemingly exiting the bearish breakout.

BTC/USD charts showcase the extent of the day’s volatility. Bitcoin prices went through some wild swings in the course of today’s trading session. Ultimately, prices might have returned to levels similar to the ones prior to the day’s selloff, but selling pressure certainly showed its capabilities. Traders might be building up more cautiousness now that the market’s sentiment showed itself to be capable of allowing a breach down to USD 8,300 price levels. Resistance for upward movements following the recovery is apparent as markets currently appear uneasy with further price rises.

OKEX BTC/USD weekly future charts display a lack of exaggeration in price movements. Futures traders didn’t mirror the selloff to its fullest extent but also didn’t seem to be firm believers in a potential recovery. It’s likely the potential of such price levels being sustained came into question. With uncertainty reaping the markets along with volatility, futures traders are likely trying to play it safe. It’s worth mentioning that with live markets taking consideration amid lower volumes, prices might be prone to another crash.

All in all, traders might be pleased with the fact that BTC/USD markets didn’t breach below USD 8,300 levels. Afterall, the resistance observed in live markets could also be another contributor to the current mood of the market. If a further crash can be avoided, trades could eventually start working on breaking resistance levels.

image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jenny-pics/2539753594 – jenny downing

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The post Bitcoin Price Analysis, 15th May 2018: BTC/USD Markets Volatile Above $8,000 appeared first on BitcoinNews.com.

Key Highlights

• ETH price is struggling to move above $742-743, but it remains supported against the US Dollar.
• Yesterday’s highlighted key bullish trend line with current support at $715 is intact on the hourly chart of ETH/USD (data feed via Kraken).
• The pair has to move above the $742-743 resistance zone to accelerate upsides in the near term.

Ethereum price is placed nicely in a bullish zone against the US Dollar and Bitcoin. ETH/USD may climb higher if buyers manage to break the $742 and $743 resistance levels.

Ethereum Price Resistance

There were decent bullish moves above $700 during the past few hours in ETH price against the US Dollar. The price traded higher above $730, but it was not able break the $742 and $743 resistance levels. There were more than four attempts by buyers to clear the $743 hurdle, but they failed. At the moment, the price is correcting lower and is trading near the $720 level.

An initial support on the downside sits around the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the last leg from the $637 low to $743 high. However, the most important support is near $715, which is close to yesterday’s highlighted key bullish trend line on the hourly chart of ETH/USD. Moreover, the 100 hourly simple moving average is also positioned around the trend line support near $710. Therefore, the $710-715 zone is a decent buy area and it is likely to prevent declines. Below $710, the next major support is around the 50% Fib retracement level of the last leg from the $637 low to $743 high at $689.

Looking at the chart, the price remains well supported above $700. It may trade in a range for a few more hours above $700 before making the next move. There are high chances of it breaking $743 as long as ETH is above the 100 hourly SMA.

Hourly MACD – The MACD is currently placed slightly in the bearish zone.

Hourly RSI – The RSI is just near the 50 level.

Major Support Level – $710

Major Resistance Level – $743

The post Ethereum Price Analysis: ETH/USD Could Extend Gains appeared first on NewsBTC.

This article originally appeared on Bitcoin Magazine.

Key Points

• Bitcoin cash price failed to break the $1,500 resistance and continues to trade in a range against the US Dollar.
• There is a short-term bullish trend line forming with support at $1,400 on the hourly chart of the BCH/USD pair (data feed from Kraken).
• The pair is likely to consolidate in a range below $1,500 before making the next move.

Bitcoin cash price is currently consolidating below $1,500 against the US Dollar. BCH/USD must stay above the $1,400 and $1,360 support levels to remain in a bullish zone.

Bitcoin Cash Price Upside Hurdle

There were a couple of swing moves in bitcoin cash price above the $1,360 support level against the US Dollar. The price attempted to move above the $1,500 resistance on a couple of occasions. However, buyers failed to gain upside momentum above $1,500. It seems like the price is struggling to clear a strong sell wall near $1,500 and is currently following the 100 hourly simple moving average.

It recently traded as high as $1,493 before starting a downside correction. It moved down below the 38.2% Fib retracement level of the last leg from the $1,331 low to $1,493 high. However, the downside move was limited by the $1,400 support area. There is also a short-term bullish trend line forming with support at $1,400 on the hourly chart of the BCH/USD pair. Moreover, the 61.8% Fib retracement level of the last leg from the $1,331 low to $1,493 high also acted as a support during the recent slide.

Looking at the chart, the price must settle above the $1,440 resistance and the 100 hourly SMA to gain momentum. A successful close above 100 hourly SMA could open the doors for a break above the $1,500 resistance in the near term.

Looking at the technical indicators:

Hourly MACD – The MACD for BCH/USD is currently flat in the bearish zone.

Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for BCH/USD is still below the 50 level.

Major Support Level – $1,400

Major Resistance Level – $1,500

The post Bitcoin Cash Price Analysis: BCH/USD Consolidating Below $1,500 appeared first on NewsBTC.

This article originally appeared on Bitcoin Magazine.

LedgerX announced Tuesday that it is launching a new simplified interface for a bitcoin call options trading platform.