banking
Italian Banking Association Chose Decentralized Blockchain Route
The Italian Banking Association, Associazione Bancaria Italiana (ABI), chose to leverage the blockchain-based system Spunta, as they could not identify an appropriate single actor to run a centralized system.
Swiss Regulator Issues Banking Licenses to Two Blockchain Firms
The Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) in Switzerland has issued banking and securities dealers’ licenses to two new blockchain companies.
Open Banking & Banking Digital Transformation Congress will be held in August in Shanghai
Open Banking&Banking Digital Transformation Congress 2020 will be held on September 24-25 in Shanghai with a focus on digital transformation and open ecosystem construction of large state-owned banks, joint-stock banks, urban commercial bank, and foreign bank, etc. The congress will mainly discuss how iABCD empower retail, micro and corporate finance from perspectives of policy transmission, ecological construction, cultural innovation, business model innovation, product innovation, risk management, marketing, and the user experience, etc.
Brazilian Banking Federation President Claims Crypto Cannot Replace Fiat Money
The President of Brazilian Banking Federation has argued that cryptocurrencies do not meet the basic criteria of real currencies.
Banking on Blockchain: FinTech and Digitalization Will Play a Significant Role for the Chinese Banking Industry
China’s banking industry for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will rely on digitization and financial technology to build a “new infrastructure” for the entire industry. Highly endorsed by the country’s president, Xi Jinping, blockchain technology has seen a surge in popularity in the past year.
US Senate Banking Committee Chair Sends Letter to the OCC to Clarify Crypto Payment Rules
The US Senate Banking Committee Chair Mike Crapo sent a letter to the OCC to develop guidelines on digital payments.
UK Fintech Firm Mode Launches Bitcoin Banking App Enhancing Mass Consumer Accessibility
London-based fintech company Mode has announced that it has unveiled its Bitcoin banking app to advance user experience.
Why is Blockchain Technology Revolutionizing the Banking and Finance Market?
As technology continues to evolve year after year, it becomes glaring that it is gradually sweeping every productive sector in the world, more importantly, finance and banking. This is so because the sector is about the most sensitive in every economy. It’s got to be, right? Money is important and needed by everyone – one way or another.
Argentina Believes in Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency as Most Effective Hedge Against Inflation, Paxful Survey
Over 70% of Argentines see cryptocurrency, particularly Bitcoin as the most effective way to hedge against inflation and store financial value
Qatar to Explore CBDC
Qatar is exploring use cases of introducing a CBDC, including all aspects, the pros and cons of the digital currency as well as digital banking.
Banking Circle Adopts USDC as Currency on its Payment Rails
Banking Circle, an European Union (EU) regulated payments bank has announced that it has integrated the USD Coin (USDC) stablecoin into its payment rail
Goldman Sachs Continues Expanding Digital Assets Team, Now Looking For New VP
Goldman Sachs is looking for a new Vice President for its Digital Assets team to helps define and execute the investment firm’s global blockchain strategy.
Binance to Consider Buying Banks with $1 Billion , CEO CZ Discloses
Binance is considering buying banks with $ 1 billion to bridge the gap between the worlds of traditional finance and cryptocurrency, founder and CEO Changpeng Zhao said in an interview with Bloomberg.
Coinbase and Trustly Collaborate to Streamline Crypto Transactions for Canadians
Coinbase partners with Trustly for Open Banking in Canada, enabling direct bank-to-crypto wallet transactions. This follows Coinbase's recent Canadian market expansion and US crypto derivatives approval.
Caitlin Long's Avanti Crypto Bank Raises $5 Million Funding Round, Inches Closer to Banking Charter Approval
Avanti Financial Group, the crypto-focused bank, led by the Caitlin Long University of Wyoming Alumna, has taken another important step towards becoming a chartered crypto bank in the country. Caitlin Long is the founder and CEO of Avanti bank. The crypto bank has raised an angel round worth $5 million from several popular investors in cryptocurrency. The University of Wyoming Foundation led the funding round with partnerships from Malex Enterprises, Lemniscap, Antony Pompliano, Morgan Creek Digital, Blockchain Capital, Madison Paige Ventures, Gary Gigot, Digital Currency Group, Susan B. Anthony, and many others.
Senate banking chair considers crypto prohibition
Sherrod Brown, chairman of the U.S. Banking Committee, said a prohibition would be impossible because activity would migrate overseas. He requested a government-wide regulatory agency examination from the Treasury and Secretary. Patrick McHenry, the new chairman of the House Committee on Financial Services, supports crypto.
How Banking Difficulties Drive Crypto Adoption in Latin America
Many businesses and individuals in Latin American countries are using cryptocurrency to buy retail goods while seeking to avoid unstable fiat markets.
Digital Assets Should be Regulated as Part of Banking Industry: Ex-Regulator
Financial experts are advocating for digital currency innovation and activities to be subsumed into the banking industry, a move that will let regulators permit their overall growth.
Thailand Blockchain Community Partners with IBM to Expand $300M Electronic Letter of Guarantee Platform
Thailand Blockchain Community Initiative (BCI) has joined hands with IBM to extend the scope and reach of the blockchain-powered electronic letter of guarantee.
The Fed Rejects Custodia Bank's Membership Application
The Fed rejected cryptocurrency-focused Custodia Bank membership again, citing "sound banking operations."
US Banking Crisis Fuels Regulation Debate
The recent fall of major banks in the US has reignited discussions about the most effective ways to safeguard the economy. Economist Peter Schiff argues that increasing banking regulations could contribute to a worsening economic crisis, while a group of economists warns that nearly 190 US banks are at risk of depositor-driven collapse due to monetary policies.
Circle Partners with Cross River Bank for USDC Production and Redemption
Circle has partnered with Cross River Bank for USDC production and redemption, as well as expanded relationships with other banking partners like BNY Mellon. The USDC stablecoin recently experienced a peg-breaking incident but has since recovered.
Bitwala Incorporates CryptoTax for Better Tax Reporting
Bitwala, a German-licensed Bitcoin banking service application, announced its new integration remedy with CryptoTax, an entity that assists crypto users to adhere to yearly tax declaration deadlines. This will be instrumental in solving crypto tax headaches.
FinCEN Director Kenneth Blanco Warns Banks to Take Crypto AML Seriously
Kenneth Blanco, the Director of the FinCEN warned banks to seriously consider how virtual currencies should fit into their anti-money laundering (AML) policies.
US FinCEN Files Show Deutsche Bank Tops List of Suspicious Transactions, So Cut Bitcoin Some Slack
German central bank, Deutsche Bundesbank appears to have facilitated over one trillion dollars of suspicious transactions flagged by US FinCEN.
Circle's USDC Reserve Exposure and Potential Risks
Circle's latest audit report reveals that the company's exposure to the US banking system stands at nearly $9 billion, with its reserves held by a number of regulated financial institutions, including SVB, BNY Mellon, and Silvergate. However, recent events such as the shutdown of SVB and Silvergate's decision to shut down its crypto bank arm have raised concerns about potential risks for Circle and its stablecoin USDC.
SBI Holdings to Launch Investment Fund for Emerging Companies like Web3, AI, and Metaverse Startups
SBI Holdings plans to invest 100 billion yen in startups focusing on Web3, AI, and metaverse, with financial institutions supporting Japan's goal to nurture its startup ecosystem and enhance its Asian startup hub position.
Global Microfinance Market Projected to Reach $506 Billion by 2030
The global microfinance market, valued at $200 billion in 2022, is expected to grow to $506 billion by 2030, according to a new report by ResearchAndMarkets.com. The market is set to expand at a CAGR of 12.3% from 2022 to 2030. Microenterprises are identified as a vital growth driver for Microfinance Institutions (MFIs). The report also highlights the role of emerging technologies like AI and blockchain in shaping the industry.
Visa Integrating Cryptocurrency Services into Brazilian Banks
Visa is further expanding its cryptocurrency services. The payment giant firm is working in Brazil to integrate cryptocurrency services into the local banking system.
Russian Citizens Are Using P2P Bitcoin Markets to Escape Monolithic Banking System
Crypto usage is growing in Russia, despite attempts by the government to make investment more difficult.
Banking crisis could push cryptocurrency regulation into gray area
Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire believes that the ongoing global banking crisis could lead to more uncertainty and gray area in the regulation of cryptocurrencies due to market anxiety over exposure to the US financial system and the risk of a large-scale banking system failure.
Silvergate Bank Suspends Dividend Payments to Preserve Liquidity
Silvergate's board "shall re-evaluate the payment of quarterly dividends as market circumstances change."
Banking Infrastructure Needs Blockchain Technology to Meet Rapid Fintech Enviroment, HashCash CEO Says
With the fintech industry making significant strides within a short time, the banking sector ought to integrate blockchain technology to keep pace with this area, according to HashCash CEO Raj Chowdhury.
Neo-Banking Crypto Startup Juno Raises $18M in Series A Funding Round
The India’s neobank is seeking to use the funds towards accelerating its growth and launching more products.
Binance.US Struggles to Find Banking Partner in the U.S.
Binance.US is facing challenges in finding a bank partner to serve as a fiat on-ramp and off-ramp for its clients in the United States, following the recent failures of Silvergate and Signature Bank. The regulatory crackdown on banks with crypto clients is another factor contributing to the exchange's struggles.
5% Global Business Transactions Expected to Utilize Blockchain Technology by 2028: SkyQuest
At least 5% of worldwide business transactions are expected to utilize blockchain technology by 2028, thanks to heightened activity in the fintech blockchain market, according to a report by research firm SkyQuest.
PayPal Joins Coinbase TRUST Network to Comply with Travel Rule
Coinbase has welcomed PayPal for joining TRUST, a global coalition that offers top-tier privacy and security safeguards to clients across jurisdictions while complying with the Travel Rule.
UK FCA Regulator Announces “Temporary Registration Regime” Extending Operating Deadline for Crypto Firms
The UK’s FCA has just announced a “temporary registration regime” which allows crypto firms who have previously applied to continue operating until July 2021.
Will Distributed Ledger Technology and Cryptocurrencies Ever Lead to the Extinction of Banks?
In the world we live in today, virtually every sector of human activities have begun to experience one form of digitisation or another, and the Banking sector happens to be one of the sectors at the forefront of this evolution.
Traditional Banking System Consumes Twice Energy Than Bitcoin Mining, New Research Reveals
A new study by Galaxy Digital shows that the traditional banking system uses twice the energy that Bitcoin mining consumes.
"Deutsche Bank share slide fuels global banking fears"
Deutsche Bank's recent share slide has added to concerns about the state of the global banking system and the possibility of a new financial crisis. As governments try to protect the dollar's status as the world reserve currency, concerns about hyperinflation and a historic correction of the economic system are growing. Some members of the Bitcoin community are looking to the cryptocurrency as a potential hedge against inflation.
Microsoft and Finastra Open Cloud Solution to Exponentially Accelerate Innovation for 8,500 Banks and Institutions
Finastra and Microsoft Corp have announced a strategic, multiyear cloud agreement to help accelerate the digital transformation of financial services and help realise and open source future for finance.
Wells Fargo Injects $5M into Blockchain Startup Bridging Crypto Exchanges and Banks to Expand in Asia
US Banking Giant, Wells Fargo is investing in blockchain startup focusing on forensics, Elliptic. Wells Fargo Strategic Capital (WFSC), the venture capital arm of the bank, has decided to inject $5 million into Elliptic’s Series B funding round.
FDIC Mandates New Signage for Digital Platforms Starting 2025
The FDIC has updated its signage requirements, mandating digital display of a new black and navy blue sign on websites, apps, and ATMs from 2025 to align with modern banking practices.
Decentralized Finance (DeFi)
DeFi stands for decentralized finance, which owns the blockchain advantages, thus removes trusted third parties and more. DeFi will have profound impact to traditional financial industries.
Protego Becomes the Second Federally Chartered Crypto Bank in United States
Protego, Washington state-chartered trust firm, has received a conditional approval from the OCC to become the second nationally chartered crypto bank in the U.S.
OCC Head Brian Brooks Testifies Before Senate On Cryptocurrency and Stablecoins
The OCC Boss, Brian Brooks has testified before the US Senate Banking Committee about the growing use of cryptocurrencies and stablecoins in the country
Fintech not Big Tech: Square is a Greater Threat to Banks than Google and Amazon
A recent survey of 300 senior executives at US-based mid-sized financial institutions found that more than half of bank and credit union executives view Big Tech companies like Amazon and Google as significant threats to the banking industry. Meanwhile only a third believe financial technology (fintech) firms will be a threat in the future, but are they sleeping on Square, Jack Dorsey’s financial technology venture whose stock price recently recorded a 20 month high.
Binance.US Halts BUSD Services Amid Investigation
Binance.US has temporarily halted BUSD services including deposits and withdrawals, and buying, selling, and converting crypto options via the OCBS. The platform is investigating the issue and is also transitioning to new banking and payment service providers, leading to the temporary suspension of certain U.S. dollar deposit services.
Federal Reserve Governor Michelle W. Bowman Stresses Banking Supervision including Digital Assets
Governor Michelle W. Bowman, a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, emphasized the need for a responsive and responsible regulatory framework in the banking sector.
Blockchain in Fintech Sector Expected to Hit $31.4B by 2030
Blockchain in the FinTech market is anticipated to reach $31.4 billion by 2030, given that the penetration of this cutting-edge technology in the financial industry has boosted app-based operations.
Banks Want in on Crypto this Year, but Obstacles Remain
Obstacles remain for banks looking for ways to fight issues that differ from their core values and carve their way into the crypto craze in 2022.
Top Banks in South Korea Select CenterPrime And Chainlink To Bring FX Rates Data to DeFi
Top banks in South Korea have selected Chainlink and CenterPrime to bring a blockchain-enabled decentralized finance solution for foreign exchange rates.
Banks Are Increasingly Starting to Offer Cryptocurrency Services in 2020
Banks have increased their interest in cryptocurrencies. Many of them have decided to join the cryptocurrency market, either by offering investments in cryptocurrency or by exploiting the capabilities of blockchain technology, which is already used in various areas with financial services.
Digital Dollars—A Two Tier CBDC Design to Maintain US Currency Dominance
The Digital Dollar Project (DDP) is the focus of the Digital Dollar Foundation and advocates the need for a CBDC. In their recently released whitepaper, the DDP stipulates that it aims for the US dollar to maintain its global dominance but further warns that the work needs to begin immediately. The DPP also calls for public-private collaboration, including the use of a two-tier system for the spread and distribution of retail digital dollars.
Reserve Bank of Australia Will Explore Wholesale CBDC with ConsenSys Ethereum POC
The Reserve Bank of Australia has partnered with leading Australian banks and ConsenSys Software to explore wholesale CBDCs and distributed ledger technology (DLT).
WeBank Blockchain Patents Filings Rank Third Highest Globally for 2019
China’s WeBank is leading the global banking community in banking technology patents jumping ahead of US giants JP Morgan Chase and Bank of America with 632 filed patents in 2019.
Indian Crypto Exchanges Seek Clarity on Legal Status and Taxability from the Reserve Bank of India
Crypto exchanges and companies in India are still seeking regulatory clarity and tax status from the Reserve Bank of India following a Supreme Court ruling in favor of the crypto industry earlier this year. India’s Supreme Court reversed the ban placed by the central bank on financial institutions offering crypto-related banking services. It is two months after lifting the ban, crypto exchanges and firms are now seeking clarification regarding the nature of their operations.
Why Regulated Banks Have Greater Potential For Financial Crime Than Bitcoin and Crypto
While agencies focus their attention on transparent Bitcoin transactions, banks have had an official free pass disclaimer to facilitate money laundering the entire time.
China Construction Bank Announces Updates of Blockchain Platform After $50B Transacted
One of China’s four largest banks, China Construction Bank (CCB) has officially released the second version of its blockchain platform for trade finance, reaching 360 billion yuan ($50 billion) in cumulative transaction volume. CCB announced the release of “BCTrade 2.0,” focusing on digitizing trade and financial services between 54 domestic and overseas CCB branches and 40 external organizations. Reported by Xinhua news, these organizations include state-owned banks and foreign banks.
Standard Chartered's Planned Hong Kong Virtual Bank Announced as Mox
Mox is the new virtual bank in Hong Kong to be launched by Standard Chartered in partnership with PCCW, HKT and Trip.com. Launching later this year, the mission of Mox is to help everyone in Hong Kong grow – “your money, your world, your possibilities.”
FDIC to Offer Guidance on Crypto After it Understands its Associated Risks
FDIC's Martin Gruenberg said more guidance will be given to banks about crypto when it gains more understanding of its inherent risks
Cryptocurrency Firms Deny Exposure to Troubled US Banks
Major cryptocurrency firms, including Tether, Crypto.com, Gemini, BitMEX, and others, have denied exposure to dissolved U.S. banks like Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. The firms have taken to social media to assure their users that their funds are safe and accessible despite ongoing issues in the U.S. banking system.
Step Secures $300m Fund, Introduces Crypto Investment Platform for Young Adults
Step has secured $300 million in new debt funding round, which coincided with the company’s launch of a crypto investment platform aimed at minors and young adults - their key clientele.
Ripple Outpaced Other Blockchain Companies on Inc's List of Fastest-Growing US Companies
Ripple has outpaced other indigenous blockchain companies on a recently published list of 5000 fastest-growing private companies in the United States.
Signature Bank Team Joins Customers Bank, Part of $21B Customers Bancorp
Customers Bank, a subsidiary of Customers Bancorp (NYSE:CUBI), has announced the successful onboarding of nearly 30 team members formerly employed by Signature Bank, once known for its crypto-friendly stance.
Ziglu Mobile Banking App Makes Cryptocurrency Easy for Everyone
Ziglu, the first UK regulated cryptocurrency bank, has launched its platform app after successfully completing its testing phase.
Ripple (XRP) Check Feature May Soon See the Light of Day
The long-awaited Ripple Check may soon be launched as the margin for the needed votes by the network's validators narrows. With the Check feature, institutions and users will find flexibility in money exchange and adherence to compliance.
Bank of America Considers Bitcoin and Crypto Transactions to be Equivalent to Cash
Bank of America is considering Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other altcoins to be cash equivalent, and will treat crypto-related transactions as cash advances. Adjustments to the fees in that category of transactions will also be made.
Morgan Stanley Sees Crypto-Focused Bank Silvergate Shares Gain Up To 52% Rise on Positive Business Update
Morgan Stanley believes that the shares of crypto-focused bank Silvergate bank are underrated and gives a fresh valuation of the stocks owned by Silvergate.
South Korean Bank, KB Kookmin, Shares Blockchain Strategy
KB Kookmin, a major South Korean bank, is planning to adopt blockchain technology into its internal processes.
El Salvador’s Largest Bank Bancoagrícola Starts Offering Bitcoin Services to Customers
Bancoagrícola, the largest bank in El Salvador, has started allowing its customers and merchants to use Bitcoin for payments towards credit cards, loans, and merchant goods and services. The bank has partnered with digital payments gateway Flexa to enable such integration.
Moody warns of stablecoin adoption risk
Moody's Investors Service has warned that the recent turmoil in the traditional banking sector and USDC losing its peg could negatively impact stablecoin adoption and increase calls for regulation. The credit rating agency believes that fiat-backed stablecoins like USDC could face new resistance, limiting their stability and potentially causing a run on banks holding Circle's assets, which could lead to the depegging of other stablecoins.
Blockchain's Adoption & Capabilities Increase against Fraud in Public Finance Sector
Based on blockchain’s inherent capability of tackling fraudulent transactions, this cutting-edge technology is expected to continue being adopted in the banking and financial services sector, according to HashCash Consultants CEO Raj Chowdhury.
Custodia Bank's Application to Join Federal Reserve Rejected
Custodia, a digital asset bank, was denied membership in the Federal Reserve System.
China Dismantles $2.2 Billion Underground Banking Operation Leveraging Cryptocurrencies
Chinese authorities have dismantled a $2.2 billion underground banking network that used cryptocurrencies to bypass financial controls, seizing $28,000 worth of digital currencies.
EY-Led Consortium Submits Bid To Help Develop South Korea's CBDC
A consortium led by Ernst & Young has made the first and only bid to construct the business model for the Bank of Korea’s Central Bank Digital Currency project.
Banking on Blockchain: ICBC Releases First-Ever White Paper on Blockchain for the Financial Sector
One of China's major banks, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) has released its white paper on blockchain-based applications in the financial sector. The document is the first white paper related to blockchain technology in the financial industry. The paper also highlights the present challenges faced by the banking sector.
Global UAE Bank Building Blockchain Architecture for Federated and Sovereign Digital Identity
A global UAE bank is creating a federated and sovereign blockchain architecture for digital identity via HashCash Consultants, to propel its financial and banking operations and prepare for the future of finance.
JP Morgan Chase Approves Major Crypto Exchange Clients Coinbase and Gemini
JPMorgan Chase, the largest bank in the United States, has set the ball rolling by accepting crypto exchanges Gemini and Coinbase as banking customers. This is a sign that Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are being embraced in the American financial landscape and Wall Street. The bank gave Coinbase and Gemini accounts the green light in April, and transactions are just kick-starting. Reportedly, JPMorgan Chase is offering cash-management services to the exchanges, as well as dealing with dollar-based transactions for their US-based clients.
MetaMask Developer ConsenSys Responds to European Banking Authority's Consultation on Anti-Money Laundering Measures
The European Banking Authority (EBA) has closed its public consultation on revising guidelines for money laundering and terrorist financing risk factors, extending the scope to include crypto-asset service providers (CASPs). ConsenSys, MetaMask's development lead, defended the EBA's approach, stating self-hosted wallets should not be considered a risk factor and praised the EBA's recognition of blockchain analytics' role in risk mitigation.
British Lloyds Banking Group Recruits Digital Cryptocurrency Experts
British retail banking giant Lloyds Banking Group is looking for digital cryptocurrency experts as a digital currency and innovation senior manager. The starting salary for this position is expected to be £59,040 per year.
Binance.US Struggles to Find a Bank Partner in the United States
Binance.US is facing challenges in securing a bank partner to serve as a fiat on-ramp and off-ramp for its clients in the United States. Recent regulatory crackdowns on banks with crypto clients, along with failed attempts to establish direct banking relationships, have left Binance.US without banking services.
Cryptocurrencies Act as Safe Haven Amid U.S. Banking Crisis
Amid the ongoing U.S. banking crisis, CEO of ARK Invest, Cathie Wood, praised cryptocurrencies for acting as a safe haven. Wood criticized the Federal Reserve's inability to prevent bank runs and blamed their policy failure for the current banking crisis. Wood projected crypto as a solution to the central points of failure and regulatory mistakes in the traditional financial system.
Crypto-friendly banks closure could pose a challenge for crypto companies
The closure of three major crypto-friendly banks in the US, Signature Bank, Silicon Valley Bank, and Silvergate Bank, could pose a challenge for crypto companies in accessing traditional banking partners. The loss of these banks could impact crypto liquidity, and some experts believe that it may leave crypto companies without banking options. However, some in the industry believe that it could create room for another bank to step up and fill the vacuum, while others suggest that there are already viable alternatives available.
Hong Kong Central Bank Urges Crypto-Friendly Banking
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has instructed authorized institutions to adopt a risk-based approach in Anti-Money Laundering efforts and provide banking services to cryptocurrency firms.
Federal Reserve Lifts Enforcement Action on FTX-Linked Farmington Bank
The Federal Reserve has terminated its enforcement action against Farmington State Bank, linked to the collapsed crypto exchange FTX, marking the bank's shift away from operations and reinforcing depositor protection efforts.
Leading Vietnamese Bank Joins RippleNet to Boost Cross-Border Remittances
Orient Commercial Joint Stock Bank (OCB), a large Vietnamese bank with assets worth $4.6 billion, has joined RippleNet as a strategic partner after a 10-month wait.
US Federal Regulator Says Banks Can Offer Cryptocurrency Custody Services to Customers
The US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has announced that states and national banks and federal savings associations can provide crypto custody services to customers.
Reserve Bank of India Says Banks Are Authorized to Provide Accounts to Cryptocurrency Traders
The Reserve Bank of India recently responded to an information query, saying that Indian banks are not prohibited from dealing with crypto businesses.
Animoca Brands refutes claims of scaled back metaverse fund and plummeting valuation
Venture capital firm Animoca Brands denies claims of reducing its metaverse fund target by $200 million and a significant drop in its valuation, citing inaccurate reporting. The firm acknowledges the impact of banking collapses on fundraising but states that the final amount raised for the fund is yet to be determined.
Crypto Popularity to Spur Growth in Blockchain-Powered Banking, Financial Services
The surging use of cryptocurrencies is expected to enhance the development of blockchain in the banking and financial services market, according to The Business Research Company.
A New Era of Smart Banking: Virtual Bank by Standard Chartered Building Digitally-Born Services
During Hong Kong Fintech Week 2019, Blockchain.News spoke with Deniz Güven, the CEO of the Virtual Bank by Standard Chartered, to understand the current developments and the new technology behind it. The Virtual Bank by Standard Chartered was one of the first granted a virtual banking license on March 27, 2019, from the HKMA along with two other licensees, Livi VB Limited and ZhongAn Virtual Finance Limited.
The Fight for Freedom: Bitcoin and Hong Kong Battle Old World Control
Financial systems and governments clash. Hong Kong and Bitcoin fight for Freedom.
OCC Says US Banks Can Use Blockchains and Stablecoins in Bank Payments
According to the OCC, regulated banks in the US can leverage stablecoins to conduct payments as well as participate as validator nodes on blockchain networks called INVNs.
Kookmin Bank, South Korea’s Largest Bank Will Offer Cryptocurrency Custody
Kookmin Bank, the largest commercial bank in South Korea, will start offering Bitcoin custody services through a new partnership with crypto trading firm Cumberland Korea and blockchain venture fund Hashed.
Japan’s Major Banks Join Consortium of Private Firms to Launch Yen-Based Digital Currency
The private sector in Japan has joined forces to examine the trial and launch of a CBDC as a way of streamlining large funds transfers and settlements among financial firms.
Ethereum Price Could Surge as OCC Permits US Banks to Run Nodes For Stablecoins
A recent announcement by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has provided a mainstream catalyst that could see the ETH price rally to new all-time highs.
Crypto Advocacy Group Calls on Regulators to Address De-Banking of Crypto Firms
The Blockchain Association has submitted Freedom of Information Act requests to U.S. financial regulators, seeking documents and communications that could reveal if regulators’ actions have contributed to the recent failures of banks that provide services to crypto firms. The association is investigating allegations of account closures and refusals to open new accounts by banks against crypto firms, which it believes should be treated like any other law-abiding business in the U.S.
Italian Banking Association Wants to Join in on the ECB Digital Euro Central Bank Digital Currency Project
The Italian Banking Association, Associazione Bancaria Italiana (ABI) has decided to participate in projects and experimentations of a European central bank digital currency, recently known as the digital euro.
Central Banks Could Monopolize Commercial Banking Sector via CBDC, Says Federal Reserve
A new working paper from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia indicates that the development of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) may create a fundamental shift in the way banks operate.
Mox Bank to Launch Crypto Investment Services
Hong Kong-based virtual bank Mox Bank has recently announced plans to introduce cryptocurrency investment services in the second half of 2024, providing customers with access to popular digital assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Can Alipay and WeChat Pay Compete With China’s Fee-Free Digital Yuan?
Will Alipay and WeChat Pay survive the People's Bank Of China's rollout of the digital yuan or DCEP?
Democrats Critical of OCC's "Excessive Focus" on Crypto and Stablecoin Financial Services
Democrat members of the United States Congress led by Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) have criticized the OCC's focus on crypto and stablecoins.
Former BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes Discusses Market Weakness and Banking Tricks
BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes has shared his views on the potential market weakness and banking tactics in a recent article on Medium. While emphasizing that his opinions should not be considered investment advice, Hayes provides insights into the macro setup and his analysis of the current market conditions.
Stakeholders in the Crypto Ecosystem Want US Regulator to Increase Bank's Crypto Capabilities
Stakeholders including the Silvergate Bank have responded to the OCC call recommending the regulator to improve US bank’s crypto capabilities.
Bitcoin of America to Pay $86,000 in Settlement with Connecticut Department of Banking
Bitcoin of America, an Over the Counter (OTC) cryptocurrency exchange and a national operator of Bitcoin Kiosks, has been ordered to refund $86,000 to consumers in Connecticut, according to a recent announcement by the state's Banking Commissioner, Jorge Perez.
Blockchain Association Seeks Information on De-banking of Crypto Companies
The Blockchain Association has filed Freedom of Information Law requests to the Federal Housing Finance Agency and the New York Department of Financial Services, seeking more information on the de-banking of crypto companies after the closure of Signature Bank and the failure of Silvergate Bank.
South Korea Intensifies Blockchain in Banking but Rules Out Digital Fiat Currency
Wide application of blockchain technology is expected to affect people’s lives, business, education, governance, and other sectors. That is the reason, many countries explore and even deploy the huge potential of this technology. But the latest trend of the technology seems to have taken a new twist in South Korea. Now let’s find out why South Korea continues adopting blockchain in banking but rejects rolling out digital fiat currency.
Circle's USDC Reserve Exposure and Potential Risks
Circle's latest audit report reveals that the company's exposure to the US banking system stands at nearly $9 billion, with its reserves held by a number of regulated financial institutions, including SVB, BNY Mellon, and Silvergate. However, recent events such as the shutdown of SVB and Silvergate's decision to shut down its crypto bank arm have raised concerns about potential risks for Circle and its stablecoin USDC.
US Senator Sherrod Brown: Facebook is delusional
“Mark Zuckerberg has said that Facebook is more like a government than a company. That’s delusional.” US Senator Sherrod Brown said in a video tweet.
US Prosecutors Seek Lengthy Sentence for Crypto Shadow Bank Executive
US prosecutors seek a sentence of at least 7 years imprisonment for Reginald Fowler, a former minority owner of the Minnesota Vikings NFL team, over his alleged involvement in shadow banking practices through Crypto Capital Corp, an alleged crypto shadow bank. Fowler is accused of acting as an unlicensed money transmitter and deceiving financial institutions through Global Trading Solutions (GTS), a firm he established under Crypto Capital in 2018. GTS and Crypto Capital are alleged to have processed approximately $750 million in cryptocurrency transactions, providing unlicensed crypto firms with unlawful access to the U.S. banking system.
Dubai Economy Gets Powered by UAE KYC Blockchain Platform for Safe Digital Customer Onboarding
The Dubai economy has gone live on the UAE KYC (Know-Your-Customer) blockchain platform making instant bank accounting functionality, secure digital customer onboarding, and sharing of verified data between financial institutions and licensing authorities possible.
DAG Global Seeks to Break New Ground as First UK Bank to Support Crypto Businesses
DAG Global, a UK financial services company, aims to set a precedent by gaining a UK banking license to close the void between banks and crypto businesses. It intends to become the nation’s first bank to support cryptocurrency businesses.
Goldman Sachs and Citigroup Perform the First Equity Swap on Blockchain
Traditional equity swaps have to be continuously updated for multiple variables. These include different interest rates, end-of-day market prices, and corporate actions like stock splits and dividend payments. Financial institutions need to hire many people to verify the process until the swap completion, which in some rare cases, could take months.
German Authority Cautions Of New Banking And Crypto Malware "Godfather"
On Jan. 9, Germany's Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) issued a warning about Godfather, a spyware that steals user data from banking and crypto applications. The agency has yet to ascertain how the virus assaults consumers' devices. In December, reports indicated that Godfather was targeting Android users in 16 countries.
Banks Will Start Mulling the Possibility of Crypto Trading in 3 Years: Former Citi CEO
According to Vikram Pandit, most financial institutions are likely to integrate digital currency trading services within the next one to three years
Mastercard Enables USDC Spending in Asia
Mastercard has partnered with Stables to allow retail customers in the Asia-Pacific region to spend and save USDC through its network. Meanwhile, worldwide banking turmoil has not slowed the blending of traditional and decentralized finance (DeFi). Global payment provider Mastercard has expanded its partnership with the Australian stablecoin platform, Stables, to enable retail customers in the Asia-Pacific region to spend and save USDC anywhere Mastercard is accepted. The wallet will accept deposits in several stablecoins, including Tether (USDT) and Binance USD (BUSD), with all deposits automatically converted into USDC. This move comes as worldwide banking turmoil and regulatory crackdowns continue to impact the crypto space.
German Legacy Bank Hauck & Aufhäuser to Debut Crypto Investment Fund in 2021
Germany’s legacy bank with over 222 years of financial services tradition Hauck & Aufhauser will be launching a cryptocurrency fund in January 2021.
Binance CEO Denies Report That Company Is Cutting Ties With US
Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao denied that the business is contemplating leaving the US on Twitter.
Breaking: Bitcoin Enters Banking System, El Salvador's Cuscatlan and Agricola Accept it for Loans
El Salvador's Cuscatlan and Agricola banks have announced they will now accept Bitcoin for loan payments, paving the way for Bitcoin to be used directly for credit card debt settlements and loans, potentially setting global banking industry precedents.
US Banking System Faces Crypto-Asset Risks, FDIC Warns in 2023 Review
Following a March crisis, major banks serving the US crypto sector faced hurdles. The FDIC intervened, highlighting the growing challenges in the evolving crypto landscape.
Investors Flock to US Money Market Funds Amid Banking Crisis
Amid banking crisis fears, investors have poured $286 billion into US money market funds in March, with Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, and Fidelity among the biggest winners. These funds are offering high liquidity and low risk, making them popular during uncertain times.
World First Crypto Bank Sygnum Receives Approval To Offer Banking Services In Singapore
Sygnum has been granted approval by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to operate digital markets/banking services in the country
UK Media Mogul Calls DeFi a Revolution Against Corrupt Global Banking System
Alexander Lebedev, the billionaire UK media mogul and former banker has endorsed the revolutionary power of DeFi against a corrupt global banking system.
US Senator Pat Toomey Eyes Senate Banking Committee Chair and Digital Currency Regulations
United States Senator Pat Toomey said he will take on digital currency regulation and payments reforms should he become the Senate Banking Committee’s next chairman.
Simplex Redefines the Fiat-to-Crypto/Crypto-to-Fiat Experience With the Launch of the Simplex Banking Solution
Simplex Banking works alongside Simplex’s unparalleled partner network to overcome key barriers to greater crypto adoption by providing a global solution of crypto- friendly banking, offering local payment methods for a truly global reach.