Europe
Welcome to our weekly roundup of all important blockchain and cryptocurrency news from around the world. Follow the latest developments in the cryptocurrency space continent by continent, country by country.
France
Spike in French blockchain interest shows Macron future: French President Emmanuel Macron’s interest in blockchain and cryptosphere seems to have paid off as a sharp spike is being witnessed in the growth of blockchain technology innovations in France.
Under the previous president Francois Hollande’s tenure, whose popularity hit as low as 4% at one time, blockchain development was stagnant but under the young, energetic leadership of President Macron, the French blockchain economy is reaching new heights.
Macron has set his sights on helping France become a fintech trendsetter. The government is also mulling on legislation for ICOs and has heavily reduced cryptocurrency tax rates as well.
United Kingdom
Coinbase gets into primary banking with new support for pound: Coinbase, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, has made a change in its system that allows users to deposit and withdraw UK pound sterlings easily.
The previous system had been causing problems for users for having their UK bank linked to the exchange account. The new system will in effect be a first step towards converting the Coinbase account into an “effective primary bank account”. The exchange also used a digital gift card program recently that allowed European users to access cash in other ways than conventional fiat.
Pro football team paid in cryptocurrencies in Gibraltar: A professional football team Gibraltar United in Gibraltar, UK is paying its team in cryptocurrency as the island opens up to the idea of cryptocurrencies.
Gibraltar United’s owner Pablo Dana who is also an investor in the digital currency Quantacoin has said that he hopes it will encourage foreign players to easily set up banking and crypto accounts in Gibraltar and help stamp out corruption that is rampant in the game.
Gibraltar is aiming to lure new and old fintech companies in cryptosphere to its shores. Together with Switzerland and Malta, Gibraltar makes three most progressive places in Europe to adopt cryptocurrencies and blockchain platforms.
Denmark
Copenhagen blockchain school up and running in university: The blockchain school in Copenhagen, Denmark is marking its third year in offering latest blockchain courses for enthusiasts around the world.
The school was initially developed as a partnership between the University of Copenhagen, IT University of Copenhagen and Copenhagen Business School. It describes blockchain as “a revolutionary technology that has the potential to disrupt multiple industries”.
The primary focus of the blockchain schools has been “the design and implementation of blockchain-based systems require interdisciplinary knowledge as well as mindful consideration of broader economic and societal issues”.
The weeklong course was devised by the computer science department of the University of Copenhagen. Dr Omri Ross, Assistant Professor at the University is one of the main driving forces behind the Blockchain programs being offered in the university. Various partnerships in the program reflect the wide-scale application of the program including a recent segment by the World Wildlife Foundation.
Dr Ross explained: “While we do work on Ethereum-based Dapp development we are also collaborating with QTUM’s protocol (they are the second biggest blockchain in China) as well as the protocols of Ontology, Hyperledger, and Firmo.”
Liechtenstein
Fully European legislation compliant crypto exchange to open in Liechtenstein: The first fully compliant cryptocurrency exchange, Blocktrade.com, under latest guidelines from the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) is now open for registration in the small European nation of Liechtenstein.
The latest regulations were a string of stringent policies that were the cornerstone of of Anti Money Laundering (AML) and anti-corruption steps taken by the European parliament. The exchange is offering trading in Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin and Ripple for now.
CEO of Blocktrade.com Luka Gubo said, “This is an ideal way for regulators across Europe to recognize cryptocurrencies as a new asset class and put in a regulatory framework.”
Cryptocurrency exchanges across the continent are scrambling to become compliant under the latest rules and are currently under a grace period offered by the ESMA.
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The post Europe: Crypto and Blockchain News Roundup, 27th July to 2nd August 2018 appeared first on BitcoinNews.com.