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Largest Bank in the Phlippines Showcases Bitcoin Mining Equipment – newsBTC


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Largest Bank in the Phlippines Showcases Bitcoin Mining Equipment
newsBTC
… its cryptocurrency miners at a business conference. That is an interesting development, considering how the world’s leading cryptocurrency is a legal tender in the country. When the biggest bank in The Philippines gets into Bitcoin, an interesting


newsBTC

Largest Bank in the Phlippines Showcases Bitcoin Mining Equipment
newsBTC
... its cryptocurrency miners at a business conference. That is an interesting development, considering how the world's leading cryptocurrency is a legal tender in the country. When the biggest bank in The Philippines gets into Bitcoin, an interesting ...

Largest Bank in the Phlippines Showcases Bitcoin Mining Equipment

Financial institutions all over the world are interested in Bitcoin. UnionBank recently demonstrated its cryptocurrency miners at a business conference. That is an interesting development, considering how the world’s leading cryptocurrency is a legal tender in the country.  When the biggest bank in The Philippines gets into Bitcoin, an interesting tone is set. Unionbank and

The post Largest Bank in the Phlippines Showcases Bitcoin Mining Equipment appeared first on NewsBTC.

Financial institutions all over the world are interested in Bitcoin. UnionBank recently demonstrated its cryptocurrency miners at a business conference. That is an interesting development, considering how the world’s leading cryptocurrency is a legal tender in the country.  When the biggest bank in The Philippines gets into Bitcoin, an interesting tone is set.

Unionbank and Cryptocurrency

The Philippines have always been a key region for Bitcoin. It is home to a few remittance services which rely on cryptocurrency. Moreover, the government made it clear Bitcoin can be used for remittance purposes. It is a validation of the world’s leading cryptocurrency being used for real-world use cases. So far, the Philippines is one of the only countries to take this specific step in recent years.

Unionbank, the biggest bank in the country, recently showcased cryptocurrency miners during a business conference.While that may not seem important, it is another nod of approval toward cryptocurrency. While not a Bitcoin mining unit, it does show the institution is interested in cryptocurrencies.

How this venture will pan out exactly, remains a bit unclear. To this date, the bank has not confirmed it is involved in any cryptocurrency mining operation just yet. Even so, they are quite confident cryptocurrencies here to stay. More and more banks are getting on the cryptocurrency bandwagon these days. Ranging from trading desks to mining operations, things are certainly heading in an interesting direction.

Bitcoin and The Philippines

It is not the first time Unionbank shows an interest in cryptocurrency or its underpinning technology. Earlier this year, the institution announced a blockchain payment system. This venture is launched together with Visa. Although that feature does not involve cryptocurrencies, it shows its underpinning technology can effectively transform business models in the Philippines.

Additionally, the Philippines government introduced an “economic zone” for cryptocurrencies. In this zone, cryptocurrency companies are allowed to operate in a licensed environment. Surprisingly, this venture attracted a lot of attention from international firms. Especially companies from Japan, Malaysia, and Hong Kong are interested in this option. The economic zone accommodates all business models, including exchanges, mining, and initial coin offerings.

All of this is in stark contrast with a slight crackdown on Bitcoin users. The Philippine National Police has arrested Bitcoiners before. This was mainly due to allegations regarding running a Ponzi Scheme. Additionally, cloud mining is still somewhat frowned upon in this country. The Bitcoin situation in the Philippines is heading in an interesting direction right now. Unionbank’s recent “endorsement” is another surprising development in this regard.

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Bitcoin Price Continues to Decline as Bears Continue to Reign

TheMerkle Bitcoin price Bear MarketToday will prove to be another difficult day for all cryptocurrency markets. The bearish pressure is not relenting by any means, as market makers are intent on keeping the prices down for some time to come. With the Bitcoin price now dropping below $8,200, it seems to be a matter of time until the value dips below $8,000 once again. That would certainly trigger an even bigger sell-off in the altcoin department. Bitcoin Price Trend Becomes Worrisome It has been documented over the past few months how the Bitcoin price is seemingly incapable of catching a break. No solid positive

TheMerkle Bitcoin price Bear Market

Today will prove to be another difficult day for all cryptocurrency markets. The bearish pressure is not relenting by any means, as market makers are intent on keeping the prices down for some time to come. With the Bitcoin price now dropping below $8,200, it seems to be a matter of time until the value dips below $8,000 once again. That would certainly trigger an even bigger sell-off in the altcoin department.

Bitcoin Price Trend Becomes Worrisome

It has been documented over the past few months how the Bitcoin price is seemingly incapable of catching a break. No solid positive momentum has been achieved at this stage, and it seems things will not necessarily improve in the near future either. The past three months have seen some attempts at recovering losses, but ultimately seem to result in lower lows for the Bitcoin price.

More specifically, three months ago, the Bitcoin price was hovering near the $12,0000 mark. Ever since that time, it has dipped below $11,000, then $10,000, and even hit $7,200 a few weeks later. While that is still the proverbial bottom as of right now, it remains to be determined if any positive momentum can be generated before the year 2018 comes to a close. The current trend doesn’t look all that promising so far, but things are always subject to change in the world of cryptocurrency.

Over the past 24 hours, the Bitcoin price has lost another 1.95% of its value. This decline pushes the price per BTC below $8,200, and will seemingly result in a price dip below $8,000 by the time the weekend has come to a close. It remains unclear what is causing all of this negative Bitcoin price pressure this year, but it seems evident things will not improve anytime soon.

Even the Bitcoin trading volume is on the decline as of late, which is anything but promising. More specifically, the trading volume has dropped to $8.894bn, which is $2bn below what one would expect to see these days. This seems to indicate the overall demand for the world’s leading cryptocurrency is on the decline, which doesn’t bode well for Bitcoin and any other cryptocurrency on the market these days.

OKEx is still leading the charge in terms of Bitcoin trading volume, which is a bit surprising. Its USDT pair remains extremely popular and is well ahead of Bitfinex’s USD pair and the USDT market on Binance. All three platforms generate over $215m in 24-hour volume, which is rather interesting to keep an eye on. With Huobi and OKEx’s TRUE pair in the five as well, there is only one fiat currency market to speak of. That can prove to be problematic for the Bitcoin price moving forward.

Whether or not the Bitcoin price can recover from this latest setback, remains to be determined. Anything is possible in the world of cryptocurrency these days, even though the current trend looks anything but promising. Then again, the weekend is usually very different from the rest of the week when it comes to cryptocurrency trading, and this weekend may prove to be somewhat interesting in this regard.

Blox.io Launches Much Needed Crypto Accounting Platform

A Tel Aviv based blockchain startup, Blox.io, recently launched their Blox Business platform, an accounting system specifically designed to track, report, and manage crypto assets. Dubbed the “Quickbooks for Crypto”, the Blox platform will help both companies and funds meets their various–and oftentimes complex–financial needs. To date, Blox Business helps manage over $2 billion in

The post Blox.io Launches Much Needed Crypto Accounting Platform appeared first on NewsBTC.

A Tel Aviv based blockchain startup, Blox.io, recently launched their Blox Business platform, an accounting system specifically designed to track, report, and manage crypto assets. Dubbed the “Quickbooks for Crypto”, the Blox platform will help both companies and funds meets their various–and oftentimes complex–financial needs.

To date, Blox Business helps manage over $2 billion in crypto assets. Company projections estimate that by the end of this year, the platform will help manage more than 10 percent of the total crypto market. Blockchain pioneers like Wings, CIVIC, Chainlinker Capital, and eToro all utilize the platform to help manage their digital assets.

blox

 

How Big is the Crypto Universe?

According to data gathered by CoinMarketCap, there are almost 1,600 different cryptocurrencies in circulation. To be sure, the number is ever fluctuating, as new companies debut coins and as failed startups close their doors and delist any crypto assets. Nevertheless, this represents tremendous growth, as the total number of cryptocurrencies stood at just over 1,000 in August 2017, per Benzinga.

Along a similar vein, the total crypto market cap stands at well over $400 billion. Though this is half the $800 billion-plus total market cap seen in January 2018, it still demonstrates incredible year over year growth. Since November 2017, the total market cap hasn’t fallen below $200 billion, despite this year’s increased volatility.

In conjunction with the rise of the total value of all cryptocurrencies, crypto focused hedge and investment funds are also on the up and up. More than 200 crypto hedge funds are in existence, up from 110 funds in October 2017 and about six times the number at the start of 2017.

What does this data show? If nothing else, it reveals the increasing popularity of cryptocurrencies and the need to aggregate and streamline data-based operations. This is precisely Blox’s goal–to create and provide much-needed accounting and financial tools for the ever-growing blockchain industry.

How Does Blox Fit in with the Crypto Accounting Industry?

Sonya Baumstein, a crypto accountant with New Alchemy, a blockchain consulting firm, recently noted, “The prudent crypto individual or business must keep up with regulation and develop a process to organize information relating to buying and selling of digital currencies.” She goes on to offer several pieces of accounting advice to crypto businesses and investors, ranging from not mixing addresses to keeping running ledgers of income and expenses.

As the crypto world grows, Blox and other blockchain accounting companies will presumably play an increasingly important role. The ability to automate, or at least streamline, crypto asset data feeds will be an invaluable resource for crypto business and funds, especially in a tougher regulatory environment. As the world continues to go crypto, business operations will need to keep up. This is why blockchain accounting platforms will prove to be vital.

What Exactly is the Blox Platform, and What Does it Do?

At its core, Blox is a data aggregation platform. It syncs all user wallets–whether individual, corporate, or other–and exchanges into a single account, giving money managers, accountants, and finance professionals the ability to track, manage, and distribute crypto assets from a single interface. The syncing process can be automated so that it happens at predetermined intervals, or performed manually according to a company’s specific needs.

Once all of the data has been gathered onto the platform, financiers can perform both on-the-go and in-depth analysis. For companies with cash flow and accounting needs, Blox can help make wise financial decisions to meet accounting deadlines. Crypto investors can use the platform to track assets and markets in one place, in addition to experimenting with virtual trading.

blox

Currently, Blox offers three different plans, each tailored to the client’s needs. The “High Net” plan is best suited for high net worth individuals and traders who only need custom reporting done once a week. The “Business” plan is designed for small businesses, and custom reporting is available every day. Finally, the “Corporate” plan is ideally suited for multi-million dollar corporations who need platform access for multiple employees. With this plan, custom reporting is unlimited. Each of the plans can be accessed through the web or via Blox’s iOS and Android app. Premium platform features are unlockable through Blox’s platform token, CDT.

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Coinshares teams up for new custodian solution for institutional investors

To attract institutional money into the cryptocurrencies market, the incumbent players will have to adapt and cater to them rather than expecting institutions to change their standards.

To attract institutional money into the cryptocurrencies market, the incumbent players will have to adapt and cater to them rather than expecting institutions to change their standards.

Crypto Exchange Bitfinex Demands User Tax Information

Prominent cryptocurrency exchange platform Bitfinex has given users until 24 May to confirm their tax status in order to continue using the platform’s services. BVI legal requirements According to a message account holders found when they logged into their Bitfinex accounts, as a company operating in the British Virgin Island (BVI), local laws now require …

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Prominent cryptocurrency exchange platform Bitfinex has given users until 24 May to confirm their tax status in order to continue using the platform’s services.

BVI legal requirements

According to a message account holders found when they logged into their Bitfinex accounts, as a company operating in the British Virgin Island (BVI), local laws now require that the tax information is collected. The details collected then may potentially be shared with the government of the users home country, should BVI law require it.

The message reads: “Pursuant to BVI law, we are required to obtain self-certifications from our customers in order to ascertain each customer’s tax residence… [we]may then exchange that information with the tax authorities of the customer’s country of residence, consistent with British Virgin Islands law, the U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Common Reporting Standard (CRS).”

Centralization of exchanges

While it is crucial to provide legal regulations and safety for those trading cryptocurrencies, many have interpreted this as a step too far, particularly for those advocating the decentralized nature of blockchain trading. Similar criticism fell on peer-2-peer platform Localbitcoins, that announced earlier this month identification documents would be necessary if partaking in significant trading activity.

Unsurprisingly, backlash immediately ensued from the cryptocurrency community, with users taking to Twitter to rally Bitfinex account holders to withdraw their funds. One such user includes crypto personality Whale Panda, who wrote: “Bitfinex is now requiring users to give their tax information so that it can send it to BVI which will exchange it with your country’s tax authorities. We strongly disavow.”

Bitcoinist have reported that Bitfinex responded to the criticism by admitted that they were “deliberately targeting” specific users account details, although it is unclear the specifications with which those targeted are being held to.

 

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Bitcoin Price Watch: BTC/USD at Risk of Further Declines

Key Points Bitcoin price declined and broke a key support level at $8,200 against the US Dollar. There was a break below a triangle pattern with support at $8,250 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken). The pair may correct a few points in the short term, but it could

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Key Points

  • Bitcoin price declined and broke a key support level at $8,200 against the US Dollar.
  • There was a break below a triangle pattern with support at $8,250 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken).
  • The pair may correct a few points in the short term, but it could face resistance near $8,150 and $8,250.

Bitcoin price tumbled below key supports against the US Dollar. BTC/USD is currently consolidating near $8,000 and it is at risk of more losses.

Bitcoin Price Analysis

There was no upside break above $8,500 in bitcoin price against the US Dollar. The BTC/USD pair failed on many occasions to trade above the $8,500 resistance area. There was a sharp bearish reaction and the price declined below the $8,200 and $8,080 support levels. It seems like the price was completely rejected from the 50% Fib retracement level of the leg from the $8,850 high to $8,080 low.

More importantly, there was a break below a triangle pattern with support at $8,250 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair. The pair is now trading well below $8,500 and the 100 hourly simple moving average. The decline was such that the price even spiked below $8,000 and a low was formed at $7,931. At the moment, the price is consolidating losses and moved above the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the drop from the $8,486 high to $7,931 low. However, the price is struggling to move above a connecting bearish trend line with resistance at $8,150.

Bitcoin Price Analysis BTC USD

Looking at the chart, the price may perhaps move above $8,150 in the near term, but it could face a strong barrier near $8,250. Moreover, the 50% Fib retracement level of the drop from the $8,486 high to $7,931 low is a key resistance at $8,209. On the downside, the price must stay above $8,000 to avoid a push towards $7,600.

Looking at the technical indicators:              

Hourly MACD – The MACD for BTC/USD is slowly moving back in the bullish zone.

Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI is moving higher towards the 50 level.

Major Support Level – $8,000

Major Resistance Level – $8,250

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Cardano Price Analysis: ADA/USD’s Upsides Remain Capped

Key Highlights ADA price declined recently and broke the $0.2400 support level against the US Dollar (tethered). There is a key bearish trend line in place with resistance at $0.2450 on the hourly chart of the ADA/USD pair (data feed via Bittrex). The pair is currently correcting higher, but upsides are likely to be capped

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Key Highlights

  • ADA price declined recently and broke the $0.2400 support level against the US Dollar (tethered).
  • There is a key bearish trend line in place with resistance at $0.2450 on the hourly chart of the ADA/USD pair (data feed via Bittrex).
  • The pair is currently correcting higher, but upsides are likely to be capped by $0.2450 and $0.2500.

Cardano price is currently under pressure against the US Dollar and Bitcoin. ADA/USD may correct higher, but it will most likely face hurdles around $0.2500.

Cardano Price Analysis

There was no major recovery above $0.2600 in ADA price against the US Dollar. The price topped around the $0.2615 level and the 100 hourly simple moving average. A fresh bearish wave started and the price declined below the $0.2500 and $0.2400 support levels. It traded close to the $0.2300 level and a low was formed at $0.2304. A base was formed and the price is currently correcting higher towards $0.2450.

At the moment, the price is testing the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the last decline from the $0.2616 high to $0.2304 low. However, there are many resistances on the upside around $0.2500. There is also a key bearish trend line in place with resistance at $0.2450 on the hourly chart of the ADA/USD pair. Furthermore, the 50% Fib retracement level of the last decline from the $0.2616 high to $0.2304 low is positioned near $0.2460. Therefore, it seems like the price is likely to face a strong barrier near $0.2450-0.2500.

Cardano Price Analysis ADA USD

The chart indicates that the price is slowly recovering from $0.2300. If it fails to move above the $0.2500 resistance, it could decline once again towards $0.2300. Below the stated $0.2300 support, the price may perhaps move towards the $0.2000 handle. On the flip side, above $0.2500, the price might climb towards $0.2750.

Hourly MACD – The MACD for ADA/USD is about to move into the bullish zone.

Hourly RSI – The RSI for ADA/USD is well below the 50 level.

Major Support Level – $0.2300

Major Resistance Level – $0.2500

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