Fiatum Channel

2021-10-26 11:47:57 Tesla May Accept Crypto As Payment Again

Tesla automakers confirmed they are planning to resume accepting cryptocurrency as payment soon. The Tesla and Spacex CEO is looking to restore his support as he believes digital assets could turn out as a “liquid alternative to cash” in the long run.

Tesla adopted BTC previously as a form of payment earlier this years, but after few month Musk decided to suspend this payment method due to environmental concerns. Company reportedly acquired $1.5 billion in bitcoin and later this year, when the value of BTC shifted, the value of their holdings increased to almost $3 billion.

After many months since crypto payment is no longer supported by the company, company CEO indicated that they would consider resuming crypto payments again. The decision will apply only after at least half of Bitcoin’s network hash rate is powered by renewable energy, - he resumed. Open / Comment

2021-10-26 11:25:59 Mastercard Collab With Bakkt

MasterCard is reportedly collaborating with FinTech company Bakkt to offer a set of new cryptocurrency solutions to banks and merchants onto its payments network.

Bakkt, a U.S based company, is looking to expand digital assets partners, rolling out so called crypto-as-a-service that aims to provide users a fuss free access to digital assets capabilities. In turn, customers will be able to spend the crypto rewards they earn at retailers on MasterCard’s network. They will have an option able to buy, sell and hold digital assets via wallets powered by Bakkt’s digital asset platform.

“MasterCard is committed to offering a wide range of payment solutions that deliver more choice, value and impact every day,” -commented MasterCard’s executive vice president of digital partnerships, Sherri Haymond.“Together with Bakkt and grounded by our principled approach to innovation, we will not only empower our partners to offer a dynamic mix of digital assets options, but also deliver different Open / Comment

2021-10-25 15:19:34 NBA JOIN CRYPTO

Coinbase signed sponsorship deal with the NBA and will also partner with other professional basketball leagues, including the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), NBA G League, NBA 2K League, and USA Basketball. The contract indicates Coinbase will be serving as the presenting partner for the league, in other words the company logo will be televised during games.

Kate Rouch, Coinbase chief marketing officer has commented- “The freedom to participate and benefit from the things you believe in is at the heart of Coinbase’s mission. Nobody believes this more than NBA and WNBA fans. We’re proud to become the leagues’ official cryptocurrency partner.”

NBA look after enabling crypto support in the future, as one of its executives, Kerry Tatlock, says they are searching to “provide fans with new ways to engage with the league and each other”. Thus, crypto leaves another footprint in the sports industry. Open / Comment

2021-10-25 14:10:10 SINGAPORE RANKED 6TH BY CRYPTO OWNERSHIP

Singapore ranked as 6th country with cryptocurrency ownership surveyed in 22 countries. Approx. 16 per cent of Singapore citizens own cryptocurrency, according to the poll by fintech comparison platform Finderdotcom, which included more than 40,000 people across the globe.

Finder editor Keegan Francis commented: "Singapore (15.6 per cent) has a similar adoption rate to Hong Kong (16 per cent) and Indonesia (17 per cent) and is just two percentage points behind Malaysia and Australia (18 per cent each)."Bitcoin is the number one coin with 66.7 per cent of the cryptocurrency owners - the third highest percentage of all 22 countries. The second place holds Ethereum (52.4 per cent) and Cardano is third (23 per cent).

Up to date the Monetary Authority of Singapore reportedly issued digital payment service licenses to 3 entities- Singapore-based fintech firm Fomo Pay, Australian cryptocurrency exchange Independent Reserve and local bank DBS' brokerage arm DBS Vickers. Open / Comment

2021-10-25 13:47:31 AMERICAN EXPRESS CEO ON CRYPTO

Stephen Squeri, CEO of the American Express, shared his opinion on how crypto will possibly change attitude towards traditional banking while digital currencies are taking over the market. Squeri believes, traditional credit card payments will not become the second option, amid growth of cryptocurrencies.

He noted that unlike crypto, traditional credit cards still offer clients rewards, service, ability for disputing charges, along with the ability to extend credit, but added that sees crypto more like an asset class at this time.

Currently, AMEX’s biggest role in the space is in the NFT and stablecoins universes, Squeri said, citing the card’s usage to buy digital collectibles such as NBA Top Shot. Open / Comment

2021-10-25 13:05:48 CRYPTO MASTERCARD LAUNCHED BY EQIFI

EQIFI has confirmed launching the universal crypto Mastercard which offer users to make real-time merchant payments in-store.This new innovative crypto Mastercard will be accepted in more than 44 million locations across the globe and is capable of processing online and international payments. It also features normal security components such as an EMV chip, standardised PIN, and fraud protections.

Card is reportedly backed by the fully regulated EQIbank and the Tezos-based DeFi platform EQIFI which will facilitate and handle transactions.
During the Mastercard launch Jason Blick , the CEO of EQIBank said that the main purpose the project was unlocking financial freedom:

“The partnership between EQIBank and EQIFI was designed to bridge the gap between DeFi and traditional finance,” he explained. Open / Comment

2021-10-25 11:57:27 NIGERIA TO LAUNCH ITS OWN CRYPTO

Following example of the other countries, Nigeria becomes the next to launch its own crypto currency. It was confirmed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

eNaira, which is believed to complement the physical Naira rather than replace it, will “make financial transactions easier and seamless for every strata of the society,” -was stated in the report by the CBN. The launch was originally set for the October 1st to October 4th , but was delayed due to the 61st anniversary of Nigerian independence on Oct. 1.

It was a long way for officials of the country, as in February crypto was fully banned and few months later Nigerian financial authorities revealed they are looking to develop own crypto.
The eNaira will be available along with an e-wallet, sanctioned by the CBN, so customers will be able link it to their bank accounts or pay as they go with a prepay option, -was explained by CBN. Open / Comment

2021-10-22 13:47:15 SPANISH BANKS ARE LOOKING TOWARDS OFFERING CRYPTO SERVICES TO CUSTOMERS

Spain becomes next country to finally embrace crypto and start offering customers option to buy crypto directly. The preparation of all necessary documents for further approval by authorities and regulators was confirmed by officials.
According to the new local regulations, applied by authorities, the Bank of Spain must develop a list of digital asset service providers and custody companies by the end of October, but as local banks already comply with anti-money laundering directives, so some experts consider it as a subject for further study and confirmation.
Gloria Hernández Aler, a partner of the regulatory advisory firm Finreg, stated: “It would not make sense for a bank to have to go through the requirements imposed by the standard. However, it does make sense for them to notify that they are going to provide this type of service and, probably, they will need to change their money laundering policy.” Open / Comment

2021-10-22 13:34:01 SOTHEBY’S INVESTED IN NFT

Known worldwide, the largest art and luxury auction house Sotheby’s makes its first step into digital art world by investing $100 million in Delaware-based NFT studio Mojito, joining other companies, like Future Perfect Ventures, Creative Artists Agency and NEA’s Connect Ventures.

Mojito are looking to use new funds to expand the talent team to continue building the Mojito platform, and to land more deals to eventually launch brand-specific non-fungible token (NFT) marketplaces they say will be far different from today’s standard of platforms like Amazon or eBay.

The new deal makes Sotheby’s another company to join a list of traditional art dealers adopting NFTs, as this type of digital art keeps gaining interest. “We believe in the future of using blockchain to expand ownership of digital assets,” says Charles F. Stewart, Sotheby’s CEO. “There is a huge amount of focus and interest in NFTs. Sotheby’s mission is to promote access and ownership of exceptional art and luxury object Open / Comment

2021-10-22 12:55:36 CRYPTO FOR AN EYE SCAN

Worldcoin launched a project, which allows people to scan their eyes to claim digital assets. Taking photo of the user’s eyeballs creates a unique code which is used to claim free digital tokens and it is confirmed that more than 100,000 people have had their eyes scanned to receive Worldcoin as of today.

Worldcoin has installed about 30 iris-scanning devices, which are called orbs, and team has announced they are planning to release more orbs in the nearest few months, so project accelerates fast widely around the world.

The cryptocurrency debut and token giveaway will occur early next year. Yet it is not confirmed how much crypto users can expect to receive.That led to a certain criticism from many, as developers admit the “outcome is uncertain”.

Like other crypto projects, Worldcoin’s tokens price will change in value based on their popularity. Start-up are expecting to reach more than 1bn people within the next 2 years, and their orbs are reportedly installed in Africa, South Open / Comment