Category Archives: Blockchain News

#Blockchain The Crucible of Privacy: Why Decentralized Exchange Is the Only Way

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Decentralization is a core principle of blockchain-based technology. It’s the most important and unique property of the many cryptocurrencies that have launched since the birth of Bitcoin. Decentralization facilitates a move away from centralized control and differentiates crypto from government-backed fiat currencies. It is the crucible of security and privacy. So why, if this concept is so important to the foundations of the crypto ecosystem, are the overwhelming majority of cryptocurrencies traded on centralized exchanges?

Also read: Cryptocurrencies Have Spawned an Eclectic Underground Art Movement

What’s the Attraction?

The immediate benefits of centralized crypto exchanges are clear. The most popular centralized exchanges are generally easy to use and provide liquidity for a large number of coins.

For many people, the idea of taking those first tentative steps into crypto can be daunting. The media is rife with horror stories — from ICO scams to illicit marketplaces. So, when it comes to trading, it’s not surprising that most users automatically go for the easiest option.

Think about it for a minute. Most users probably have no experience trading fiat currencies, let alone digital assets.

In general, centralized exchanges make it easy for users to trade crypto and the larger ones rarely suffer from liquidity issues. Sadly, the same can’t be said for first-generation decentralized exchanges (DEXs).

But despite these benefits, centralized exchanges are fatally flawed. As well as making it difficult for users to trade privately, they require users to entrust their funds to a third-party, and as a result, the creation of a single point of failure, making centralized exchanges a prime target for hackers.

In recent years, hundreds of millions of dollars worth of cryptocurrency has been stolen by cybercriminals and malicious insiders. In my opinion, the benefits of centralized exchanges do not outweigh these inadequacies.

Understanding the Fatal Flaw

The number one problem with centralized exchanges is security. The list of massive hacks is constantly growing and it’s users that face the consequences.

We’ve already witnessed the first major hack of the year after Cryptopia lost $16 million in ethereum and ERC20 coins. The problem is this isn’t an isolated incident. Here’s a little reminder of some of the others.

In 2014, $470 million worth of bitcoin was stolen from Mt. Gox, while two years later, $72 million worth of bitcoin went missing from Bitfinex. These are two well-publicized events. But there have been many more.

Centralized exchanges force users to hand over their funds to a third party so trades are always overseen by a middleman. Not only does this go against a fundamental principle of cryptocurrency, but it leaves user funds vulnerable to theft.

As history has shown us when an exchange doesn’t have the security measures in place to protect its users, this is exactly what happens. With a centralized system, it only takes one mistake to jeopardize the security of every user.

DEXs tackle this issue head-on. They eliminate the security flaws that plague centralized exchanges by allowing users to trade safely, peer-to-peer (P2P). There is no middleman and users are never required to relinquish control of their funds. Assets aren’t kept on the exchange so there is no longer a single point of failure.

Privacy Is Not a Priority

Privacy is a human right but one that many centralized exchanges don’t appear to uphold. Users are required to share personal data with the exchange and every time they complete a transaction the details of it are recorded.

Anyone with administrative access to an exchange can identify the individuals sending and receiving payments. This trading data could be taken by malicious persons and sold on, or used in other unethical or criminal activity.

The first-wave of decentralized exchanges, although not perfect, did provide a greater deal of privacy. The absence of a registration process or a centralized authority meant trading data was neither shared nor stored, while the P2P trading mechanism took away the possibility of a crooked middleman abusing user information.

Decentralized exchanges tackle the key issues that afflict their centralized counterparts, but it would be wrong of me to claim they didn’t require improvement.

New Wave DEXs

The next generation of DEX platforms need to develop ways to tackle the issues that have held back their predecessors.

Firstly, there’s liquidity. Users need to know that if they log on to an exchange with currency to buy or sell, there will always be someone at the other end prepared to trade with them.

Although privacy has, by default, entered into the DEX debate, more needs to be done to give users the option to trade in private.

Finally, and most importantly, it’s vital that DEXs offer a fluid, simple user experience. Before now, DEXs were platforms designed by experienced users for other experienced users. If DEXs are to succeed, and reinstate decentralization as the driving force behind crypto trading, then they need to attract novice users too.

To compete, they need to be just as easy to use as current leading centralized exchanges.

Do you think first wave decentralized exchanges will help solve some of the problems of centralized exchanges? Is this the future of exchange technology in the crypto space?  

Images courtesy of Shutterstock

OP-ed disclaimer: This is an Op-ed article. The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. Bitcoin.com does not endorse nor support views, opinions or conclusions drawn in this post. Bitcoin.com is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy or quality within the Op-ed article. Readers should do their own due diligence before taking any actions related to the content. Bitcoin.com is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any information in this Op-ed article.

Anthony Khamsei is CEO of Resistance, a privacy-focused decentralized exchange and blockchain. He is a highly experienced cybersecurity professional, cryptography expert, and entrepreneur with a proven track record in tackling complex cyber threats and developing innovative security solutions.

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#Blockchain Report: Indian Government Concerned Cryptocurrencies Could Undermine the Rupee

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Report: Indian Government Concerned Cryptocurrencies Could Undermine the Rupee

The Indian government panel tasked with drafting crypto regulation is reportedly worried that cryptocurrencies could destabilize the rupee if they are accepted as payments. Its concern came to light despite evidence that cryptocurrencies do not currently pose a threat to financial stability.

Also read: Indian Supreme Court Moves Crypto Hearing, Community Calls for Positive Regulations

Impact on the Rupee

The Indian government committee tasked with developing the regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies is reportedly “obsessed” with the impact they may have on the rupee if they are allowed to be used in payments, Quartz India reported. The committee is headed by Subhash Chandra Garg, Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs.

Report: Indian Government Concerned Cryptocurrencies Could Undermine the Rupee

“If bitcoin and other digital currencies are going to be allowed to be used for payments then whether it will end up destabilising the fiat currency is a major concern” for Garg’s panel, the publication quoted an unnamed representative from the crypto ecosystem who recently met with the ministers as saying. “The overall impact on the financial ecosystem that it is likely to have is still unclear and it has been a challenge to convince them on this particular point.”

If bitcoin and other digital currencies are going to be allowed to be used for payments then whether it will end up destabilizing the fiat currency is a major concern.

Garg’s panel is finalizing its report containing the recommendations for the country’s crypto regulation, according to the government’s reply to a Right to Information filing.

However, the Ministry of Finance told Parliament that “It is difficult to state a specific timeline to come up with clear recommendations” and that Garg’s panel is “pursuing the matter with due caution.”

No Threat to Financial Stability

The Financial Stability Board (FSB) published a report in October last year on the financial stability implications of crypto assets. The FSB is an international body that monitors and makes recommendations about the global financial system to the G20, an international forum for governments and central bank governors. Its members are financial regulators and central bankers from 24 countries as well as global organizations such as the International Monetary Fund.

Cryptocurrencies need constant monitoring on overall financial stability considerations, given the rapid expansion in their usage.

Report: Indian Government Concerned Cryptocurrencies Could Undermine the Rupee

The FSB report states that “Based on the available information, crypto assets do not pose a material risk to global financial stability at this time.” Nonetheless, it notes that “vigilant monitoring is needed in light of the speed of market developments. Should the use of crypto-assets continue to evolve, it could have implications for financial stability in the future.”

Citing the FSB’s finding, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reiterated in its Trend and Progress of Banking in India 2017-18 report that cryptocurrencies are not a threat currently. “The market continues to evolve rapidly, however, and this initial assessment could change if crypto assets were to become more widely used or interconnected with the core of the regulated financial system,” the central bank detailed. “Cryptocurrencies need constant monitoring on overall financial stability considerations, given the rapid expansion in their usage,” the RBI concluded.

Do you think the Indian government should be concerned that cryptocurrencies could undermine the rupee? Let us know in the comments section below.

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#Blockchain Kraken Acquires British Derivatives Platform Crypto Facilities

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Kraken Acquires British Derivatives Platform Crypto Facilities

Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has acquired Crypto Facilities, a British digital asset trading platform and index provider, in an undisclosed “nine-figure” deal. The acquisition means that Kraken will now be able to offer both spot and futures trading in bitcoin core, bitcoin cash, ripple, litecoin and ethereum while boosting revenue by attracting institutional customers.

Also read: Cryptocurrency Independence Under Threat As Regulation Encroaches

‘Deal Turns Kraken Into a One-Stop Shop’

Kraken chief executive officer Jesse Powell has revealed  to U.S. magazine Fortune that the San Francisco-based company was on the verge of completing a $100 million funding round from its “larger customers.”

Commenting on the Crypto Facilities deal, 10 months in the making, Powell said the acquisition reinforces Kraken’s thrust on creating complementary services to its core spot exchange and over-the-counter trading. He stated that the exchange had since integrated the back-end operations of Crypto Facilities, allowing investors from both companies to trade on a single platform.

Kraken Acquires British Derivatives Platform Crypto Facilities

Users now have access to futures on six cryptocurrency pairs, “providing a highly efficient way to trade and hedge cryptocurrency in any market environment,” he said in an email to news.Bitcoin.com. For U.S. customers, futures trading will, however, not be available. The U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority has already approved the transaction, according to Kraken.

Of his company’s largest acquisition yet, Powell said:

We are excited to introduce eligible clients to these industry leading futures and index products. Over the coming months, our teams will continue to enhance and expand these offerings. We’ve got great stuff in store for traders and institutional clients in 2019.

Founded in 2015, Crypto Facilities offers derivatives trading in cryptocurrencies like BTC, BCH, XRP and ETH to both individual and institutional investors. The London-based platform is the latest in a series of acquisitions by Kraken since 2016. The company, with four million global users, has previously acquired bitcoin exchanges Coinsetter, Cavirtex and Clevercoin. Kraken also bought Glidera, a wallet funding business, and Cryptowatch, a trading and portfolio tracking platform.

Timo Schlaefer, chief executive officer of Crypto Facilities, who will continue in his current role, said: “It has been our mission to build the most sophisticated, powerful and user friendly cryptocurrency trading platform. Teaming up with Kraken allows us to innovate the next generation of products and tremendously boosts the value we are able to provide to our clients.”

Kraken Acquires British Derivatives Platform Crypto Facilities

Kraken Raises $100 Million in New Funding

Meanwhile, Kraken CEO Powell told Fortune that the exchange was close to completing a $100 million fundraising effort. To raise the money, Kraken sold some of its larger customers a stake in the company, he said. Kraken’s earlier investors include Hummingbird Ventures, Blockchain Capital, and Digital Currency Group. Powell reportedly refused to name the new investors.

Much of the new investment originated from outside the United States, noted Powell, adding the raise did not need U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approval because the company “only approached accredited investors and others covered by an exemption.”

What do think about Kraken’s latest acquisition? Let us know in the comments section below.

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#Blockchain Cryptograffiti’s Latest ‘Running Bitcoin’ Portrait Sees Auction Bids of Over $30K

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Cryptograffiti's Latest 'Running Bitcoin' Portrait Sees Auction Bids for Over $30K

In roughly three days, on Feb. 7, Cryptograffiti’s latest art auction on Bitify will come to an end. “Running Bitcoin,” a tribute to the legendary cryptographer Hal Finney, currently has a bid of $31,000 at the time of writing. Over the past few months, Cryptograffiti has been creating very interesting pieces and unique auctions that showcase the bitcoin ecosystem from a different perspective.

Also read: Cryptocurrencies Have Spawned an Eclectic Underground Art Movement

Repurposed Credit Cards and Bolivars

Even if you don’t know Cryptograffiti by name, you’ve probably seen his artwork featured online and on the streets. For instance, one of the artist’s most popular pieces sold last year for $33,000 in cryptocurrency. The work was dubbed “Terrible Store of Value” and was in response to JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon’s commentary. Cryptograffiti is also known for his inventive mediums because he doesn’t just use traditional paints and ink. The artist uses repurposed credit cards and U.S. dollars in some of his unique pieces. This week, Cryptograffiti created a picture of Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro using Venezuelan bolivars.

Cryptograffiti's Latest 'Running Bitcoin' Portrait Sees Auction Bids of Over $30K
The picture to the left is Cryptograffiti’s latest art, which is made of repurposed bolivars and is a portrait of Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro. The picture to the right is a portrait of JP Morgan’s boss Jamie Dimon called “Terrible Store of Value,” which sold for $33,000 in bitcoin.

Artwork That Commemorates the 10th Anniversary of Hal Finney ‘Running Bitcoin’

This week will see the end to another Cryptograffiti art sale hosted on the cryptocurrency auction site Bitify. The latest work being auctioned is called “Running Bitcoin,” an ode to the well known cryptographer Hal Finney. Tales of the Bitcoin network’s early days say that Hal was the first person to receive bitcoins from Satoshi back in 2009. The portrait is placed on a safety deposit box and made with small fragments of credit cards.

Cryptograffiti's Latest 'Running Bitcoin' Portrait Sees Auction Bids of Over $30K
The artwork “Running Bitcoin” has three days left until the end of the auction and already has a bid for $31,000. Half the proceeds will be donated to help people battling ALS, a disease that Hal Finney suffered from. 

There’s also an old signed credit card of Hal’s attached to the artwork which was given to Cryptograffiti as a gift from Hal’s wife Fran Finney. Not only is Cryptograffiti’s latest work called “Running Bitcoin,” but the artwork also runs a full node by using a wifi-enabled Casa Node attached to the box. Another interesting fact about the Finney portrait’s auction is that half the proceeds will be donated to an organization that helps people fighting ALS.

“50% of the auction proceeds will go to the ALS Association Golden West Chapter who supported Hal during his battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis,” explained Cryptograffi

Black Swan Sold to the Lowest Micro-Bidder

Last December, Cryptograffiti held another auction for a piece called “Black Swan” which was made from repurposed U.S. dollar bills. Unlike traditional auctions, the artwork was sold to the lowest micro-bidder.

Cryptograffiti's Latest 'Running Bitcoin' Portrait Sees Auction Bids of Over $30K
Black Swan.

The really tiny piece of art measured 1.44 in x 1.75 in and the auction used the Lightning Network for bids. On Dec. 19, 2018, at 4 p.m. PST, Black Swan sold for 1 milli-satoshi or $0.000000037 worth of BTC. The small image made of fiat also came with a counterfeit pen used by merchants to tell whether or not a banknote is legitimate.

“Yesterday I auctioned this piece to the lowest bidder to help promote the Lightning Network and poke fun at MSM’s focus on bitcoin’s price,” explained Cryptograffiti at the time.

Cryptograffiti's Latest 'Running Bitcoin' Portrait Sees Auction Bids of Over $30K
The Black Swan auction using the Lightning Network.

Many renaissance movements, especially those that have truly affected the world’s economy, have spread beyond the financial sectors of society and filtered into the world of music, theatre, and art. Bitcoin’s surrounding economy is no different and Cryptograffiti’s artwork and the many other digital currency artisans are proof of these evolutionary changes affecting various facets of our lives. The artist’s latest work which commemorates the 10th anniversary of cryptographer Hal Finney’s involvement in Bitcoin is just another example of this trend.

What do you think about Cryptograffiti’s work and auctions? Let us know what you think about this subject in the comments section below.

Image credits: Cryptograffiti.

Need to calculate your bitcoin holdings? Check our tools section.

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#Blockchain Bitcoin Cash Clothing Charity Expands to a Dozen Cities Across Canada

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Coins 4 Clothes, a cryptocurrency charity that rewards people with bitcoin cash (BCH) for donating gently used items of clothing, has announced the expansion of the organization to a dozen cities across Canada, exactly a year after it was first launched.

Also Read: The Daily: Twitter CEO Talks Bitcoin, Bitstamp Releases New Mobile App

Helping People From Toronto to Vancouver

The Toronto-headquartered organization Coins 4 Clothes is now also operating in Hamilton, Oakville, Vancouver, Whistler, Montreal, Quebec City, Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Saskatoon. The group announced that people who live in any one of these cities can browse through local charitable options on its website which the team has audited to ensure they use donations responsibly and that the clothes are really going to those who need the support.

Bitcoin Cash Clothing Charity Expands to a Dozen Cities Across Canada

Coins 4 Clothes was launched back in February 2018 and is marking its first anniversary this month. According to its website, the charity has already facilitated the donation of over 3,200 articles of clothing and at the same time managed to entice 43 clothing wholesalers to open new bitcoin cash wallets by buying more items from them with BCH donations it raised from the community.

Supported Local Charities

Among the approved charitable options available for Canadians to support via Coins 4 Clothes, there are charities which help homeless people with basic needs of clothing, food and shelter; an organization which assists homeless women in finding appropriate clothes for new jobs and job interviews; a charity which provides vulnerable women and their babies with clothing, educational and vocational training; a group which provides babies born to families in extreme need with basic essentials for their first year of life and more. If you live in Canada, you can also nominate another charity in your city that you think will fit in the program.

What do you think about this BCH charity expending across Canada? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Images courtesy of Shutterstock.

Verify and track bitcoin cash transactions on our BCH Block Explorer, the best of its kind anywhere in the world. Also, keep up with your holdings, BCH and other coins, on our market charts at Satoshi’s Pulse, another original and free service from Bitcoin.com.

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#Blockchain Coinsquare Lays off 40 Employees in a Troublesome Month for Crypto Exchanges

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Coinsquare Lays off 40 Employees in a Troublesome Month for Crypto Exchanges

Leading Canadian cryptocurrency exchange Coinsquare has reportedly laid off almost a third of its staff. The news comes after at least five other trading platforms found themselves in trouble during the past month. From the need to adapt to a prolonged bear market, overcome financial difficulties and technical issues, to coping with coin losses and hacker attacks, the dawn of 2019 has exposed some of the acute challenges the industry is facing.  

Also read: Crypto-Stealing SIM Swapper Pleads Guilty, Gets 10 Years in Prison

2 Executives Among Terminated Coinsquare Employees

One of the leading digital asset exchanges in Canada, Coinsquare, has recently decided to lay off approximately 40 out 150 staff members, Betakit reported, quoting multiple sources. Among the people in different roles whose contracts have been terminated are two key executives – COO Robert Mueller, who joined Coinsquare about a year ago, and CFO Ken Tsang, an investment banker formerly employed by major financial institutions such as Bank of Montreal and Bank of Canada. The company’s Head of Talent Martin Hauck announced on Linkedin:

The ever-evolving cryptocurrency space has been volatile and unpredictable. Many similar companies in our industry have had to make some tough choices in recent months and Coinsquare has had to as well. The company has made the decision to part ways with a number of talented members of the Coinsquare team.

The latest round of layoffs at Coinsquare comes after approximately 20 employees across various departments were terminated in July of last year. The company has been trying to restructure and even expand its business. In December, it entered 25 new markets in the European Union and last summer launched a crypto trading platform in Japan. It entered into partnerships with global blockchain investment bank Dlta 21 and the Bank of Montreal.

Coinsquare Lays off 40 Employees in a Troublesome Month for Crypto Exchanges

In December, the company also acquired crypto wallet provider Blockeq for $12 million. And despite the layoffs, the exchange has also hired over 20 new employees, Coinsquare CEO Cole Diamond revealed. This includes 14 people who joined the team after the acquisition of Tipcoin, a company that develops a blockchain-based loyalty rewards platform.

The executive added that in “the most volatile market,” the company’s staff grew from three people to a high of 150. “We’ve decided to make some cutbacks to make sure we protect our strong position in the market,” he explained, noting the challenges other Canadian exchanges are facing and the fact that Coinsquare’s main competitor in the country, Quadrigacx, is now offline.

5 Other Crypto Exchanges in Trouble

In recent weeks, there have been multiple reports about exchanges experiencing various difficulties that have led to their temporary or permanent closure. Quadrigacx is indeed one of the troubled crypto trading platforms. The exchange filed for insolvency and applied for creditor protection with the Nova Scotia Supreme Court. It has lost access to “significant cryptocurrency reserves held in cold wallets” after the death of its CEO Gerald Cotton. In total, $145 million worth of digital assets is missing.

Financial problems have dogged other crypto exchanges. Coinpulse announced recently it’s going into “indefinite maintenance” after negotiations with a potential investor took longer than expected. The platform suspended trading and deposits on Feb. 1 and said it will keep withdrawals open only until Feb. 7. Last week, the small Ukrainian exchange Liqui informed users it’s no longer able to provide liquidity. Its team asked clients to withdraw their funds within a month.

Coinsquare Lays off 40 Employees in a Troublesome Month for Crypto Exchanges

Roobit, a young South Korean cryptocurrency exchange, has also filed for bankruptcy less than three months after its launch. According to local media, technical issues that led to financial losses are behind its decision to discontinue operations. A representative of the exchange stated in a Kakao Talk chat that “it is difficult to operate with a loss of 400 million won ($360,000) due to a system error” that resulted in wrong payments. Around 800 crypto investors have suffered losses, Sisafocus reported.

In mid-January, New Zealand-based exchange Cryptopia became the latest victim of a security breach when hackers reportedly stole around $16 million worth of cryptocurrency. Despite the ongoing police investigation, the unknown attackers managed to withdraw 1,675 ETH more from 17,000 Cryptopia wallets, according to research conducted by the data company Elementus.

What are your expectations for the future of crypto exchanges? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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#Blockchain Cryptocurrencies Have Spawned an Eclectic Underground Art Movement

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What do the art and cryptocurrency worlds have in common? Among other things, the love of the conceptual, evoking of the emotions and the tendency to confuse admirers. Over the past century, we have seen cubism, starting in the early 1900s, which opened the doors for art movements like surrealism, abstract, impressionism and pop art. We are now entering a new phase that fuses art with cryptocurrency to create hybrid exhibitions with names such as the “Bitcoin Art (r)Evolution” in France. 

Also Read: Bitcoin Graffiti: How the Economic Revolution Has Painted the Streets

Buying and Selling Art Using Crypto

Cryptocurrencies Have Spawned an Eclectic Underground Art MovementModernism in art connotes a rejection of conventions and a commitment to radical innovation. In the 20th century, modern art movements were fueled by a belief that human society would advance through the spread of democracy, capitalism and technological innovation. This dovetails nicely with crypto. Bitcoin has anti-capitalist features such as the ability to decentralize the banks and grant equal access to finance.

Movements such as fauvism, futurism, constructivism, suprematism, de stijl and the British art movement, vorticism, have all played a huge role in creative expression. Beneath the ‘isms’ and esoteric jargon is a belief that anyone can create or appreciate good art. Art is a visual representation of new age revolutionaries, not just for the elite rich and educated segments of society.

It comes as no surprise, therefore, that artists have been utilizing crypto to buy, sell and create art. For artists and collectors it is critical to understand the current trends that drive the market. Cryptocurrency, and the world it has spawned, has infused products and slowly invaded pop culture. There are a number of independent art galleries now jumping on the crypto bandwagon. At one London art gallery, a portion of Andy Warhol’s 1980 work “14 Small Electric Chairs” was sold as fractionalized ownership using cryptocurrencies.

Singapore-based collector Joe Nash is selling some of his Australian art collection through Visionairs Gallery, which also accepts cryptocurrencies. Florida based art gallery Lynx Art Collection is also accepting bitcoin payments. Then there are platforms such as Maecenas which claims to be “the first open blockchain platform that democratizes access to fine art.” 

In France a group of international artists put on a cryptocurrency art exhibition to celebrate its birthday. Dubbed the “Bitcoin Art (r)Evolution,” it aimed to show “the potential of cryptocurrencies through symbolism and practice,” and “illustrate the genesis of this digital revolution.”

Another interesting twist to the art world involves wannabe artists submitting art in return for tokens. For example the Scarab Experiment created in 2014 is a multi-user collective that uses artificial intelligence image processing to form a single work of art from one thousand submissions.

The Banksy of the Cryptocurrency World

Cryptocurrencies Have Spawned an Eclectic Underground Art MovementThen there are artist who are using crypto as the subject matter and inspiration behind their creations. In the U.K., Manchester-based Aktiv Protesk is part of a new wave of artists who uses cryptocurrencies. Dubbed the Banksy of the cryptocurrency world, Protesk relies on bitcoin to sell his art.

Recently, in the midst of the yellow vest protests in Paris, one popular street artist called Pascal Boyart, known as Pboy, created a mural depiction of the drama unfolding in France. The painting also features a puzzle containing 0.28 BTC for whoever can solve the mystery. 

The art world is rapidly adopting crypto and the movement has been going from strength to strength. Whether it’s through oil paintings, sculpture, street art, graffiti, visual and performing arts or other mixed media, the art and crypto love-in continues to smolder.

What do you think about crypto influencing the art world? Let us know in the comments section below.

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#Blockchain PR: trade.io Enables Purchase of Cryptocurrencies With USD and EUR

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trade.io Enables Purchase of Cryptocurrencies With USD and EUR

This is a paid press release, which contains forward looking statements, and should be treated as advertising or promotional material. Bitcoin.com is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy or quality within the press release.

Monday, February the 4th, 2019, Hong Kong, Crypto exchange trade.io has announced a partnership with payment processor Simplex, enabling clients to purchase a range of popular cryptocurrencies by credit or debit card.

Initially, the solution will support the purchase of Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), & Bitcoin Cash (BCH) with USD or EUR. Management of trade.io have also confirmed that more coins and currencies will be added for purchase at a later stage.

This partnership with Simplex, a leading EU-licensed payment services provider, provides a regulated and secure framework through which trade.io’s client base can easily and conveniently invest or trade in cryptocurrencies.

With this move, trade.io demonstrably provides its support to investors of traditional financial instruments who wish to access the cryptocurrency industry – an industry notorious for its high barriers of entry and complicated onboarding processes.

William Heyn, CEO of trade.io commented: “It’s no secret that newcomers to the crypto world are hindered by complicated onboarding processes. Through this partnership, we aim to simplify unnecessarily difficult transactions, thereby throwing open the doors to crypto newbies whilst providing added value to our existing client base.”

This introduction of fiat purchases, drastically minimizes any obstacles presented to current and potential clients on the trade.io exchange, making the company a one-stop-shop for purchasing and trading crypto.

“Since foundation, Simplex has worked with leading exchanges to make mainstream entry to the crypto world simpler. Our fraud-free payment processing solution provides crypto merchants with a risk-free way to accept credit and debit cards, making the payment process seamless and familiar for mainstream” said Nimrod Lehavi, CEO and Co-Founder of Simplex, adding that “doing so will make it easier for mainstream users to enter the crypto world, growing the industry and transforming the financial space.”

About trade.io
trade.io is a next-generation financial institution based on blockchain technology, comprised
of its Exchange, Consulting Services, Incubator and Liquidity Pool which allows holders of its
utility token “TIOx” the ability to participate in the growth of the company. By leveraging
decades of experience in the investment banking, trading, fintech and compliance and
combining them with the power and transparency of the distributed ledger, trade.io has
created a truly unique platform built to grow and adapt as the blockchain industry continues
to mature.

About Simplex:

Simplex is a FinTech company providing guaranteed fraudless payment processing solutions. Simplex processes credit card payments with a 100% zero fraud guarantee – in case of a chargeback, the merchant gets paid by Simplex. The cutting-edge Simplex fraud prevention solution and proprietary state-of-the-art AI technology stops fraudulent transactions and allows more legitimate ones to complete payments with ease and speed while increasing conversion rates and enabling merchants to focus on their business growth.

Simplex’s HQ is located in Israel, with subsidiaries in the UK, US, and Lithuania. Simplex was founded in 2014, and today works with some of the largest crypto exchanges, wallets, and platforms.

Contact Email Address
support@trade.io

Supporting Link
https://trade.io/

This is a paid press release. Readers should do their own due diligence before taking any actions related to the promoted company or any of its affiliates or services. Bitcoin.com is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in the press release.

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#Blockchain PR: trade.io Enables Purchase of Cryptocurrencies With USD and EUR

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trade.io Enables Purchase of Cryptocurrencies With USD and EUR

This is a paid press release, which contains forward looking statements, and should be treated as advertising or promotional material. Bitcoin.com is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy or quality within the press release.

Monday, February the 4th, 2019, Hong Kong, Crypto exchange trade.io has announced a partnership with payment processor Simplex, enabling clients to purchase a range of popular cryptocurrencies by credit or debit card.

Initially, the solution will support the purchase of Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), & Bitcoin Cash (BCH) with USD or EUR. Management of trade.io have also confirmed that more coins and currencies will be added for purchase at a later stage.

This partnership with Simplex, a leading EU-licensed payment services provider, provides a regulated and secure framework through which trade.io’s client base can easily and conveniently invest or trade in cryptocurrencies.

With this move, trade.io demonstrably provides its support to investors of traditional financial instruments who wish to access the cryptocurrency industry – an industry notorious for its high barriers of entry and complicated onboarding processes.

William Heyn, CEO of trade.io commented: “It’s no secret that newcomers to the crypto world are hindered by complicated onboarding processes. Through this partnership, we aim to simplify unnecessarily difficult transactions, thereby throwing open the doors to crypto newbies whilst providing added value to our existing client base.”

This introduction of fiat purchases, drastically minimizes any obstacles presented to current and potential clients on the trade.io exchange, making the company a one-stop-shop for purchasing and trading crypto.

“Since foundation, Simplex has worked with leading exchanges to make mainstream entry to the crypto world simpler. Our fraud-free payment processing solution provides crypto merchants with a risk-free way to accept credit and debit cards, making the payment process seamless and familiar for mainstream” said Nimrod Lehavi, CEO and Co-Founder of Simplex, adding that “doing so will make it easier for mainstream users to enter the crypto world, growing the industry and transforming the financial space.”

About trade.io
trade.io is a next-generation financial institution based on blockchain technology, comprised
of its Exchange, Consulting Services, Incubator and Liquidity Pool which allows holders of its
utility token “TIOx” the ability to participate in the growth of the company. By leveraging
decades of experience in the investment banking, trading, fintech and compliance and
combining them with the power and transparency of the distributed ledger, trade.io has
created a truly unique platform built to grow and adapt as the blockchain industry continues
to mature.

About Simplex:

Simplex is a FinTech company providing guaranteed fraudless payment processing solutions. Simplex processes credit card payments with a 100% zero fraud guarantee – in case of a chargeback, the merchant gets paid by Simplex. The cutting-edge Simplex fraud prevention solution and proprietary state-of-the-art AI technology stops fraudulent transactions and allows more legitimate ones to complete payments with ease and speed while increasing conversion rates and enabling merchants to focus on their business growth.

Simplex’s HQ is located in Israel, with subsidiaries in the UK, US, and Lithuania. Simplex was founded in 2014, and today works with some of the largest crypto exchanges, wallets, and platforms.

Contact Email Address
support@trade.io

Supporting Link
https://trade.io/

This is a paid press release. Readers should do their own due diligence before taking any actions related to the promoted company or any of its affiliates or services. Bitcoin.com is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in the press release.

The post PR: trade.io Enables Purchase of Cryptocurrencies With USD and EUR appeared first on Bitcoin News.

from Bitcoin News http://bit.ly/2UDXQXF PR: trade.io Enables Purchase of Cryptocurrencies With USD and EUR

#Blockchain PR: trade.io Enables Purchase of Cryptocurrencies With USD and EUR

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trade.io Enables Purchase of Cryptocurrencies With USD and EUR

This is a paid press release, which contains forward looking statements, and should be treated as advertising or promotional material. Bitcoin.com is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy or quality within the press release.

Monday, February the 4th, 2019, Hong Kong, Crypto exchange trade.io has announced a partnership with payment processor Simplex, enabling clients to purchase a range of popular cryptocurrencies by credit or debit card.

Initially, the solution will support the purchase of Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), & Bitcoin Cash (BCH) with USD or EUR. Management of trade.io have also confirmed that more coins and currencies will be added for purchase at a later stage.

This partnership with Simplex, a leading EU-licensed payment services provider, provides a regulated and secure framework through which trade.io’s client base can easily and conveniently invest or trade in cryptocurrencies.

With this move, trade.io demonstrably provides its support to investors of traditional financial instruments who wish to access the cryptocurrency industry – an industry notorious for its high barriers of entry and complicated onboarding processes.

William Heyn, CEO of trade.io commented: “It’s no secret that newcomers to the crypto world are hindered by complicated onboarding processes. Through this partnership, we aim to simplify unnecessarily difficult transactions, thereby throwing open the doors to crypto newbies whilst providing added value to our existing client base.”

This introduction of fiat purchases, drastically minimizes any obstacles presented to current and potential clients on the trade.io exchange, making the company a one-stop-shop for purchasing and trading crypto.

“Since foundation, Simplex has worked with leading exchanges to make mainstream entry to the crypto world simpler. Our fraud-free payment processing solution provides crypto merchants with a risk-free way to accept credit and debit cards, making the payment process seamless and familiar for mainstream” said Nimrod Lehavi, CEO and Co-Founder of Simplex, adding that “doing so will make it easier for mainstream users to enter the crypto world, growing the industry and transforming the financial space.”

About trade.io
trade.io is a next-generation financial institution based on blockchain technology, comprised
of its Exchange, Consulting Services, Incubator and Liquidity Pool which allows holders of its
utility token “TIOx” the ability to participate in the growth of the company. By leveraging
decades of experience in the investment banking, trading, fintech and compliance and
combining them with the power and transparency of the distributed ledger, trade.io has
created a truly unique platform built to grow and adapt as the blockchain industry continues
to mature.

About Simplex:

Simplex is a FinTech company providing guaranteed fraudless payment processing solutions. Simplex processes credit card payments with a 100% zero fraud guarantee – in case of a chargeback, the merchant gets paid by Simplex. The cutting-edge Simplex fraud prevention solution and proprietary state-of-the-art AI technology stops fraudulent transactions and allows more legitimate ones to complete payments with ease and speed while increasing conversion rates and enabling merchants to focus on their business growth.

Simplex’s HQ is located in Israel, with subsidiaries in the UK, US, and Lithuania. Simplex was founded in 2014, and today works with some of the largest crypto exchanges, wallets, and platforms.

Contact Email Address
support@trade.io

Supporting Link
https://trade.io/

This is a paid press release. Readers should do their own due diligence before taking any actions related to the promoted company or any of its affiliates or services. Bitcoin.com is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in the press release.

The post PR: trade.io Enables Purchase of Cryptocurrencies With USD and EUR appeared first on Bitcoin News.

from Bitcoin News http://bit.ly/2UDXQXF PR: trade.io Enables Purchase of Cryptocurrencies With USD and EUR