CrowdCrypto Newsletter

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• In Iran, four banks and the Ghoghnoos Company collaborated to introduce the Peyman cryptocurrency this week, backed by gold with plans for the tokenizing of bank assets (CCN). The news comes on the heels of reports that the Islamic state plans to announce a state-backed cryptocurrency to circumvent US sanctions (Al Jazeera). Bitcoin has already helped the country avoid the harsh sanctions and is growing as a viable cross-border currency (The New York Times)

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• Fidelity Digital Assets Exchange is preparing to go live in March, launching a Bitcoin custody offering with plans to expand to offer custody and trade execution services for digital assets (Coin Telegraph). Will the launch help the crypto market turn bullish? (CCN)

• Check out our deep dive into Wyoming's SF0125, a bill designed to legitimize cryptocurrency by granting legal status to digital currencies throughout the state, becoming the first state to do so if passed. The bill has bipartisan support in the legislature and proponents are excited about its potential for expanding the use of digital currencies within the state (Jobs Act Lawyer)

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• Crypto loan firm Genesis Global Capital says it processed more than $1.1B in lending and borrowing in 2018, doubling their loan originations in the last three months of the year compared to the first six months of 2018 (Coindesk)

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• Nevada trust company Prime Trust, who has transitioned to becoming a crypto custody service provider, will no longer charge its customers fees for storage of cryptocurrency. "Prime Trust CEO and chief trust officer Scott Purcell noted that in the traditional finance world, “no qualified custodian” charges fees for safekeeping stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds or real estate, citing examples such as Etrade, Robinhood, Northern Trust and JPMorgan (though Prime Trust does charge a $350 annual custody fee for real estate, according to its fee schedule)" (Coindesk)

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• Binance, now the world’s largest crypto exchange, has enabled users to buy cryptocurrency via credit card on their trading platform in attempts to widen fiat on-ramps (CCN)

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• Pharmaceutical giant Merck won a blockchain patent that uses Artificial Intelligence and blockchain technology to “identify and record any unique feature of a physical object as its so-called ‘fingerprint’”. The technology was created to increase security of supply chain systems and eliminate counterfeit, amongst other uses (Coin Telegraph)

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• Crypto compliance startup TRM Labs just closed a $1.7M seed round, with VC firm Blockchain Capital leading the way. TRM’s token relationship management platform is designed to streamline AML and KYC efforts for crypto companies (Coindesk)

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• Bitcoin ATM company Cottonwood Vending LLC was granted a New York State BitLicense this week, becoming the third crypto ATM company to receive authorization to transact in the state (Coindesk)

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  Two groups may be solely responsible for more than $1B in crypto thefts and are reportedly behind over 60% of publicly reported crypto hacks, as investigated by crypto tracking software company Chainalysis. The company spent three months following transactions of the two major groups as they moved funds through a complex web of wallets and exchanges to disguise where the funds originated (Gizmodo, Chainalysis)

• ?? Crypto liquidity startup B2C2 OTC Ltd. received approval from UK regulators and can now offer "contracts for difference" to counter-parties and professional clients. Investors can gain exposure to crypto markets while avoiding risks using the over-the-counter trading platform provided by B2C2 (Coin Telegraph)

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• ?? The Securities Commission of Malaysia has amended their Guidelines on Recognized Markets to include regulations for cryptocurrency exchanges. Exchanges in the country have until March 1st to register with the Commission (Bitcoinist)

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• We'll be speaking at two events in the next few months, come check them out!
  • The KoreSummit Tour begins in Miami on February 20th, featuring panels and workshops solely focused on the building of a fully compliant security token
  • Head down to Bermuda March 18th and 19th for the Security Token Summit II, hosted by the Blockchain Token Association!

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• Learn more about digital securities at the Security Token Summit on April 8th in Los Angeles, CA! The event is limited to 500 attendees and will feature industry leaders in the security token field. 

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• Mark your calendars, Consensus is coming! The 5th annual blockchain technology summit will be held May 13-15, 2019, at the New York Hilton Midtown and Sheraton New York Times Square. Professionals from leading industry startups, investment firms, financial services giants, global brands, academic institutions and policy groups will return to New York to discuss the evolving real-world applications of blockchain technology.

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  The Crypto Pro Expo will be held in San Francisco on January 29th and 30th and features 2 full days of speakers, panels, and info sessions surrounding the rise of crypto and blockchain.

• Regulation Crowdfunding numbers are in for 2018 and Reg CF is gaining steam, with the number of unique offerings increasing 144%. Read all about 2018’s crowdfunding success here!