Bitcoin: Banks are worryingly complacent about the coming digital currency storm January 25, 2016 The financial services industry is dangerously complacent in its approach to digital money. Some of the major banks almost look like they fear technological change that promises greater transparency, efficiency and security at a lower cost. Too many industry players and regulators have spent more time shutting down innovations than driving them. Barclays, Chase, Westpac [...]
Can your boss spy on your personal emails at work? January 25, 2016 Alarming headlines have appeared in the media recently, suggesting that bosses can now spy on their workers’ private emails with impunity. This worrying news follows a judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). But is it really a “snooper’s charter” for employers? What’s it all about? The case before the ECHR concerned a [...]
Someone is using the Ashley Madison hack to send blackmail threats by post, and they’re asking for payment in bitcoin January 22, 2016 Six months on from the Ashley Madison hack, it seems the consequences of the notorious data breach has not gone away. At the time there were fears that members of the dating website, aimed at people already in relationships, would be unveiled following the hack. Some people, it seems, have indeed been being blackmailed and [...]
The bear is back in his cage: FTSE 100 gains and Japan’s Nikkei 225 roars into positive territory on global stimulus hopes from the European Central Bank’s Mario Draghi January 22, 2016 NULL
PwC has launched a blockchain team to explore the bitcoin technology January 22, 2016 Professional services giant PwC is getting into blockchain, announcing a new team dedicated to exploring the hyped technology powering bitcoin, following soaring client demand. “There is growing interest and a real demand from our clients to help understand the implications of blockchain and how to respond to it. So, as the blockchain juggernaut continues to [...]
How to perform better at work: Relentless achievers have these key characteristics January 22, 2016 Be honest: do you consistently show up at work each morning with your best game on? Or is your working life just a race to catch up with yourself? Coping with relentless external demands usually requires remarkable levels of resilience, energy and stamina, both to perform and to energise others. Without this, we feel sluggish [...]
EU referendum: The principles of those on the pro-Independence side of the Scottish referendum should be respected as much as the views of those who want to leave Europe January 21, 2016 NULL
The IMF’s Christine Lagarde praises blockchain and bitcoin’s potential to slash costs and improve speeds for financial industry January 21, 2016 IMF director Christine Lagarde has joined the massed ranks of those backing blockchain, the hyped technology powering digital currencies like bitcoin, as the IMF lauds its potential in a new report. Presenting the report “Virtual Currencies and Beyond” at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Lagarde praised the cryptocurrency's possible benefits. The IMF suggested both digital currencies [...]
Banish the buzzwords to boost your career in 2016 January 21, 2016 Three days after “Blue Monday” – reputedly the most depressing day of the year – today is the day when most people will update their LinkedIn profiles and put their New Year career resolutions into action. But in a busy jobs market and with over 20m UK professionals now on LinkedIn, it’s more important than [...]