Bitcoin Plaza

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Bitcoin ATMs Reach 400 Units Worldwide, 2-Way Machines on the Rise

The number of Bitcoin ATMs across the globe has hit 400. Meanwhile, operators are reportedly making US$1-3K monthly of their Lamassu units, 2-way machines are on the rise, and other interesting metric

Tembusu Systems to Launch TRUST Digital Money Platform for Businesses and Governments

Tembusu Systems Pte Ltd., a digital currency platform provider based in Singapore that counted Greece’s Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis among its advisers, announced that it will soon begin implementing digital currency payments using its TRUST framework.

According to the Tembusu website, Tembusu’s TRUST framework is a global infrastructure that lets verified individuals transfer and manage assets instantly, securely, simply and inexpensively. Based on blockchain technology, it enables payment using different currencies – real-world, digital or even gold and silver. The system was developed to integrate traditional currency platforms with the emerging blockchain technology that drives digital currencies such as bitcoin.

“TRUST is taking its first step into getting widespread adoption and integration with existing systems,” said Tembusu co-founder and CEO Andras Kristof. “We’re planning to try out several possible use cases with current payment systems in Singapore, and the success of this trial will see the use of digital currency payment systems being extended into real-world context.”

A first demo, conducted in local uptown bar The Spiffy Dapper – which also hosted Singapore’s first Bitcoin ATM in 2014 – showed how the TRUST framework could be easily implemented with a computer or mobile device attached to existing POS systems. An interesting feature of the TRUST system is that it allows consumers to withdraw cash through participating businesses by processing currencies from their digital wallets to the POS systems. Businesses will then be able to cash out the digital payment into cash for consumers over the counter.

“The potential for blockchain technology is seemingly limitless, and Tembusu Systems is continuously exploring using our TRUST platform in other applications,” said Tembusu co-founder and COO Jarrod Luo. “Our goal is not to replace other payment systems like NETS and credit cards, or even checks. In fact, we are hoping the TRUST platform can be developed to integrate with these other systems, to become an organic payment integrator in time to come.”

TRUST, a next-generation distributed blockchain technology, stands for “Tembusu Reputation-based Universally Secure Transaction System.” The Tembusu website outlines the advantages of the platforms for consumers and businesses, and includes as well a section titled “TRUST for Governments.”

The government section outlines the benefits of TRUST from the point of view of central banks, law enforcement and regulatory bodies: Every user on the TRUST network is a real and identifiable person, every transaction is permanently recorded and verifiable on the blockchain (so taxes can be easily filed and verified), and the cost of maintaining and creating physical money can be reduced by using a robust, persistent, low-cost cryptocurrency.

These statements seem to imply that Tembusu is planning to develop custom implementations of the TRUST platform for governments. In fact, governments are warming up to the idea of state-controlled cryptocurerncies, with rumors of “Fedcoin” in the United States and some kind of “Eurocoin” in Europe. Greece’s Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis wrote a blog post in February proposing a cryptocurrency dubbed Future Tax Coin (FT-Coin). Varoufakis is not impressed by bitcoin as a currency, but he is persuaded that its underlying technology could be put to effective use in troubled economies.

Varoufakis was an adviser to Tembusu Systems and helped to build a key part of its founding strategy until the end of 2014. Though Varoufakis has not played any active role for Tembusu since his decision to stand in Greece’s elections, the company still considers him as an adviser because of his foundational contributions. Therefore, it seems plausible that systems such as TRUST for governments could be candidates for actual implementation in Greece. In fact, Tembusu System stated that it is keen to explore working partnerships with institutions that want to leverage the power of the blockchain for their operations.

Image via tembusu.sg.

Vegascasino.io Launches Into The Bitcoin Casino And Online Gaming Markets

Bitcoin Press Release: Just launched Bitcoin Casino Vegascasino.io offers bettors and players an industry leading online betting and online gambling experience that is second to none.

Vegascasino.io is a new player in the Bitcoin gambling market, but boasts an experienced team of professionals behind the platform. The team comes from a fiat currency gambling background running casinos, sportsbooks and poker for over a decade:

It is a new and an exciting venture for us. Bitcoin popularity is growing every day and we want to make sure the industry has more trusted providers. We do our utmost to treat each customer individually and offer them the best service. To make sure all of their needs are met with the highest standards.“ Says Vegascasino’s PR manager.

Vegascasino.io went on to say that a sportsbook is planned in near-future to make sure users have a variety of services to choose from. The Bitcoin casino has launched using the well-known Coingaming platform for Bitcoin gambling operators.

Compared to many other Bitcoin casinos Vegascasino.io’s quantity, and quality, of games is very high. With such game providers like Betsoft, Play’n’Go, Takisto, Ezugi, Betgames, Gameart and Endorphina they are instantly one of the biggest Bitcoin casinos by game selection.

Customers Bitcoin casino experience does not get any easier or faster than it does withVegascasino.io. Users can make Bitcoin deposits and withdrawals within seconds, inside the games and from the cashier.

Vegascasino.io’s Bitcoin casino games are thoroughly tested by Gaming Labs to ensure fair and competitive payout ratios to provide the maximum casino entertainment.

For more information please go to: http://vegascasino.io

Media Contact:

E-mail: media@vegascasino.io

Address: Vegas Royal S.A., Obelisk Plaza 1 km west the Forum on Route 27. Santa Ana, San Jose Costa Rica.

Please download the media package from here:http://ift.tt/1KALMP4

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12charge.com Launches Worldwide Mobile Recharge With Bitcoin, Utility Bills Payments With Cryptocurrency, And More

Bitcoin Press Release: 12charge.com launches worldwide mobile recharge, utility bills payment, TV, Internet, Skype and more; aiming to “charge everything” with Bitcoin and other options, in just a few clicks.

Accepting Cryptos

Hong-Kong based company Sam Sien Trading Ltd recently launched startup 12charge.com. This global online recharge service allows users from 110+ countries to top up their mobile phones or buy airtime from over 450 providers and to pay utility bills, loans, TV, internet and other services in some of these countries with Bitcoin, cryptocurrency and other payment methods. Besides topping up cell phones and paying for utility bills, 12charge allows to recharge a variety of global services like IP telephony (VoIP) including Skype, travel sim cards top up, as well as to purchase game currency in a number of online games, fund social networks accounts and more.

Anton Vereshchagin, founder and CEO of Sam Sien Trading, company running 12charge website says:

“We are proud to present our users all around the world the possibility to recharge mobile phones virtually everywhere and to pay online for a number of other expenses. 12charge is not just a typical “recharge website” – a lot of services are available to our users; and we are working hard to add support of each and every existing carrier, and to make it possible to pay online for utility bills, TV/internet, etc. worldwide! Our aim is to “charge everything” that can be recharged. Besides that, we are focused on ease of using the service (we have handy options like payment reminders, favorites, etc.) and on increasing the number of payment options available. We accept credit/debit cards, PayPal and other e-wallets, online bank transfers and – most exclusive options – bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dogecoin are already supported; and this is just the beginning!”.

Available For Everyone

The services of 12charge.com are targeted to many groups of clients. Besides frequent travelers, expats working/studying abroad, international businesses, freelancers/webmasters and e-business owners/workers receiving salary in electronic payment systems – everyone preferring to top up mobile and pay for other services online will find this website extremely useful. The process of recharge is very easy, taking no more than a couple of minutes and does not require registration. Although, registered users have access to all features like reminders, repeated payments, managing lists of phone numbers/contracts details, et cetera.

“Besides increasing the number of supported providers , our mission is to provide our clients a possibility to pay using virtually any existing online payment system with a reasonable fee. It’s a real challenge, and currently there are countries and services we can’t support yet; but we are working very hard to create our dream top up service. In some countries – USA, Russia and a few others we have already managed to provide services with 0% fees. Now we are looking forward to increase a number of such countries!” – Sergey Karpovich, the project manager of 12charge explains. – “We especially welcome users from the bitcoin and altcoin communities. Thanks to lowest processing fees, our rates are the best when you are paying using cryptocurrencies!”.

12charge, as well as the carriers, has special offers and promos almost every day (for example, special “X2 top ups days”, when recharge amounts are doubled for specific countries/operators). Detailed information is available at the website and 12charge’s social networks accounts.

To learn more please go to: http://12charge.com

Media contact:

Name: Sergey Karpovich

Organization: Sam Sien Trading Ltd

Tel.: +85221270645

E-mail: pr@12charge.com

Twitter: @12charge

Virtual currency is not legal tender, is not backed by the government, and accounts and value balances are not subject to FDIC and other consumer protections. This press release is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as investment advice.

New Bill Could Mean Lower Taxes For Bitcoin Startups in New Jersey

A new bill by proposed by two New Jersey assemblymen could mean tax and regulatory breaks for digital currency companies operating in the state.

According to The Star-Ledger, the bill would lessen burdens for cryptocurrency companies in an attempt to incentivize job creation in the state. Proposed by Assemblyman Rai Mukherji (D-Hudson) and Assemblyman Gordon Johnson (D-Bergen), the 30-page bill would create a regulatory framework for digital currency companies to operate within as well.

The bill comes two months after New Jersey’s Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance committee held a two hour hearing about Bitcoin. The New Jersey Treasury officially recognized the digital currency in April when it wrote that digital currency transactions were subject to sales tax and would be treated as barter.

The Star-Ledger reported that the new bill, titled the “Digital Currency Jobs Creation Act,” would qualify companies for up to $5,000 in tax write-offs for each new job they create and exempt Bitcoin companies from having to pay tax on electricity. The legislation would also require companies to have an “effective cyber-security program” and hire a chief security officer.

“You need a lot of firepower by way of technology to be in this business,” Mukherji said. “It would try to ease some of that burden.”

He added that he is unsure whether the bill, which was yet to be introduced to the state Senate, would advance, but said some regulation would be needed.

“The legislation clarifies where digital currency stands sort of in the rubric of New Jersey law. In other states that’s been confusing,” Mukherji told The Star-Ledger. “I think this would be the first statute of its kind in the country. We would be establishing the framework legislatively.”

The bill is yet to be made available to the public, but Bitcoin Magazine will continue to follow this developing story.

Photo The Virginia House / CC BY-SA 2.0

BitStamp Launches Bitcoin Debit Card For EU Citizens

European Bitcoin exchange BitStamp launched a pre-paid debit card that can be loaded with bitcoin on Wednesday.

According to the London-based exchange, the debit card is accepted at anywhere major credit and debit cards are accepted. The card’s balance can be denominated either in British pounds, euros or American dollars.

The debit card has three stages of verification, each with its own spending limit. The most basic stage requires no know-your-customer verification and allows for €2,500 worth of transactions annually. Government ID, proof of residence, and a certified source of funds document is required for the highest annual spending limit, €125,000.

Crypto Debit Card

The debit cards can be ordered now. They are first received in a digital form that can be used only at online websites. A physical card for usage at brick-and-mortar retail stores can be ordered for $10. The card will take 10 to 15 business days to arrive.

After receiving the card, users can transfer bitcoin from a BitStamp account to it; a $10 flat fee will be taken for transfers of $1,000 or less. A 2 percent fee will be taken for anything above that.

Card holders will be able to see their transaction history, retrieve their PIN, order new cards and more at cardportal.com.

The debit card was launched through a partnership with the European and Latin American payment processor AstroPay. The London-based company operates the largest payment network in Latin America and has partnered with several Bitcoin companies in the past, including Latin American Bitcoin exchange Bitex.la, cryptocurrency development company Ripple Labs and the now-defunct exchange Mt Gox.

The card currently is not available to U.S. citizens. The Bitcoin exchange hopes to expand the service to United States, but BitStamp founder and CEO Nejc Kodrič said no launch date has been determined.

Italian Insurance Giant Will Invest €1.25bn in FinTech Startups

Europe’s third-largest insurer Generali has announced it will indirectly invest 1.25 billion euros in emerging financial technology by 2019.

NY Attorney Wants to Jail Ulbricht for Life, Bitfury develops a Mining Light Bulb

Attorney for the Southern District of New York Attorney has asked the judge the Ulbricht case to issue a life sentence; Bitfury has developed a light bulb that mines bitcoin and more news

True Democracy: World’s First ‘Political App’ Blockchain Party Launches in Australia

Max Kaye is an Aussie with a passion for Bitcoin. He is currently working to bring a novel political party, the Neutral Voting Bloc, into existence using the bitcoin blockchain turning it into a polit