Bitcoin Plaza: December 2016

Saturday, December 31, 2016

With Legality Unclear, You Can Still Buy and Sell Bitcoin in Iran

The legality of Bitcoin in Iran is still unclear, as the local authorities continue to avoid addressing regulatory conflicts and frameworks in regards to Bitcoin trading, exchange operators and transaction settlement.

Why Bitcoin Boomed in 2016, What Will Happen in 2017

With 2017 approaching let us look back and think of the reasons behind this year Bitcoin boom.

S7 Airlines and Alfa Bank Test Blockchain for B2B Payment in Russia

A Russian airline company S7 Airline and one of the biggest countries private banks have closed a deal using a platform built on top of Blockchain technology.

Europe’s PSD2 Allows Third Parties to Offer Banking, Means Collapse of Traditional Finance

PSD2, which allows third-party companies to offer banking services to consumers, could eventually transform banking in 67 countries worldwide through a ripple effect.

Italy Suspends Onecoin’s Activities Declaring Them a Pyramid Scam

Is the Bitcoin community going to see more woes for pyramid schemes such as Onecoin in 2017? Italian government acts against Onecoin.

Facebook’s E-Money Project Faces First Obstacles - Privacy and Security Issues

Recently, Facebook revealed through its newsroom that global government requests in the first half of 2016 for personal user information increased by 27% globally, from 46,710 to 59,229 requests.

Friday, December 30, 2016

London Scene Last 2016 Roundup: Insurance Markets Embrace Blockchain, Satoshi Spotted

Insurance markets embrace Blockchain, a team of Blockchain experts offers consulting - this is one side of the CT London Scene Roundup, the last one this year. There’s a funny side, too, as Nick Ayton spots Satoshi again and speaks with the old Lady trapped in Bitcoin Mine.

Beppe Grillo’s Bitcoin Blockchain: Truth or Joke

Beppe Grillo talks about a new idea to use the distributed ledger.

Want to Be a Millionaire? Two Main Rules of Bitcoin Investing

Let’s see what we can learn from Bitcoin millionaires.

Roger Ver: 2017 Will Be the Best Year for Bitcoin

Roger Ver, the owner of Bitcoin.com, believes that there is good reason to think that 2017 will be the best year for Bitcoin.

Up for Grabs: Hidden Bitcoin Treasures in Streets of Barcelona

Two bitcoiners from Barcelona created a challenge to be overcome by the people willing to achieve the valuable prize. Come to Barcelona

John McAfee to Make Email Systems Great Again With Blockchain

Several companies have decided to replace the traditional email system with blockchains allowing mail to be sent through a decentralized network.

SLUSH 2016 Gems: Blockchain - The Holy Grail of FinTech

2016 was the year when the potential of Blockchain to change the world began to be fully understood.

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Finland’s New Law: Bank Account Freedom Means More Data Collection

Finnish law will enable citizens from any EU state to open a dinosaur bank account Finland from January 1, but information-sharing could mean this is a mixed blessing.

The Question for 2017: What Sort of Digital Money Are You Paying With - Centralized or Decentralized?

This Christmas, new Monopoly game hit the market - the cashless one. Will kids born in 2017 ever use cash?

Leaving the Wild West: New Swiss Cryptocurrency Focuses on Usability and Regulatory Compliance

Giracoin, a new cryptocurrency with a focus on ease of use and wide adoption, has been launched by Gira Financial Group AG in Switzerland.

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

DAO Dawn: Alpha Releases Signal Technology, Only Just Getting Started

With the DAO fiasco and Bitcoin’s new strength, Ethereum is in the shade - but some are already anticipating a return to form, not just of Ethereum, but DAOs themselves.

Double the Price, Double the Caution: Keep Your Bitcoins Safe

The rising price of Bitcoin may draw new ways of stealing it.

Bitcoin Price Can Reach $1,000 Before New Year, Hits $990 in China

The price of Bitcoin in China went past $990 this afternoon, as Chinese investors continued to push high volumes in local exchanges.

Bitcoin Price Continues to Hit New Yearly Highs With All-time Highs on the Horizon

Following a breakout over $700 last week, the market has since been on a tear to the upside as late longs struggle to re-enter below $1000.

2017: Beginning of Bitcoin Era

Global uncertainty, promises of Blockchain and smart contracts, uncertain economic environment usher in an era of Bitcoin.

Vinny Lingham: Bitcoin Price Will Reach $3,000 in 2017

Vinny Lingham, co-founder and CEO of Civic.com, predicted that the Bitcoin price will double or triple within the next 12 months.

Moon Update: LocalBitcoins Markets Hit Record Trading in Russia, Chile, Venezuela, Romania

Russia, Chile and Romania set new highs in an international push coming on the back of Bitcoin’s spiraling price, which reached over $935 on Tuesday.

Ivy League Professor’s Verdict on Death of Bitcoin: A Year After

Almost a year after the Ivy League professor Vivek Wadhwa pronounced the death of Bitcoin, the digital currency has never looked stronger.

16 Percent of Healthcare Companies to Have Commercial Blockchain Solutions in 2017

According to a study conducted by the IBM Institute for Business Value in collaboration with the Economist Intelligence Unit entitled “Healthcare rallies for blockchains,” over 16% of healthcare companies are ready to implement blockchain in 2017 for commercial purposes.

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Bitcoin Now $15 Bln Market, Going to $1000 Mark

The total USD value of Bitcoin supply in circulation has crossed a new all-time high $15 bln Tuesday as its unit price continues to climb to the $1000 mark.

Most Airbnb Users Want Bitcoin Payment Integration in 2017, Asked by CEO Chesky

Brian Chesky, co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, asked the Airbnb community on social media which applications or platforms its users would like to see launched in 2017. Most of the users responded with bitcoin payment integration, providing the success of Expedia as an example.

$1000 before Jan. 1? Look at India

Bitcoin price started picking up after a slight drop. Indian experts explain why it is looking good again.

Draglet Expends its Services to Blockchain Applications, Changes Pricing Model

Draglet.com, a white-label cryptocurrency exchange software provider, has announced several major changes to its platform, intending to increase the scope and scale of its operations.

Ethereum (ETH and ETC) Price Trends (Week of December 26th)

The rebound of ETH continues. The downward movement can turn out to be the last subwave of the downward correction.

Zimbabweans Have No Choice But to Accept New Currency but Bitcoin is Best

Zimbabwe’s monetary crisis has obliterated the wealth of many Zimbabweans as well as businesses.

Monday, December 26, 2016

Expert: African Regulatory Environment Has To Change For Blockchain Innovation To Flourish

A lack of cooperation between regulators and Blockchain players threatens innovation in parts of Africa.

Major Banks Settle $12 Bln Settlement, Corruption Unravelled

Deutsche Bank AG has agreed to a $7.2 bln settlement with the United States government for allegations of loan modifications.

London Scene Roundup: Ether Death, Vampire Coven, Bitcoin Witness Protection Program

Our London columnist reports on an Ethereum-related mortal accident in Shoreditch, discovers Blockchain’s Book of the Mormon and crypto Bite-Coin in the Tower.

In the Next Cyber Wars, Bitcoin Blockchain Is a More Reliable Defense Than Central Systems

Cybersecurity has become one of the largest security threats to the United States, European Union, Russia, China and pretty much any other nation.

Bitcoin’s End of Year Price Spike Boost for Mass Markets in 2017

The end of the year spike in the price of Bitcoin is a sign of what's to come next year.

UFO Miners To Begin a New Era For Cryptocoin Mining

With Bitcoin Mining becoming more and more competitive, ensuring development of equipment comes to the fore - UFO Miners continue investing in new technologies to keep up with the progress.

Bitcoin Beats Other Assets, Aims for Gold

Bitcoin sights a new and big record to catch up with gold.

Don’t Bank On It! Bitcoin Prices Rise, Banks Renationalize

While Bitcoin is worth more today than at any time except 11 days in its history, down the bank it’s business as usual - money lost, uncertainty and bailouts.

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Waiting For a Dip: Should You Buy Bitcoin Now?

It is not too late to buy into Bitcoin despite the fact that panic crept in and several Bitcoin owners sold their coins benefiting traders only.

Podcast: Elais Player - A Very Bitcoin Christmas

The BlockChannel coexists here on The Bitcoin Podcast, where they take-on blockchain technology with a more educational approach, that speaks to the academia crowd.

Nobel Economist Paul Krugman Criticized For His Negative Stance on Bitcoin

Paul Krugman, one of the most well-known economists currently serving the University of New York as Professor of Economics, was harshly criticized by the bitcoin community.

Unocoin and BitWage Partner to Bring Cheaper Remittances to India

Bitwage will be able to utilize Unocoin API and employers will be able to directly and automatically sell Bitcoin and the beneficiary will be able to receive Indian rupees directly in their bank account in India.

Bitfury Executive Predicts: In 2017, Bitcoin’s Blockchain will Likely be at Helm of Financial Revolution

George Kikvadze of Bitfury laid out his expectations and predictions for 2017 in regards to the development of the bitcoin industry, community and most importantly, bitcoin network.