The 3 best and worst places to hold Bitcoin February 4, 2014 The debate about how to deal with the virtual currency Bitcoin is still in its infancy, according to a report released by the Law Library of Congress. The report surveys 40 jurisdictions and the European Union on any regulations or statements from central banks and governments on the handling of Bitcoin. Of the countries surveyed [...]
BP 2013 profits plummet on selloff programme February 4, 2014 Following rival oil company Shell’s predictably disappointing results last week, BP has confirmed market expectations that its profits took a hit in 2013. The oil giant saw underlying replacement cost profit – a measurement that excludes gains or losses on the value of inventories – fall to $2.8bn (£1.7bn) in the fourth quarter from the [...]
Largest Nordic bank goes bearish on Bitcoin January 28, 2014 In a fresh blow for Bitcoin the largest Nordic foreign currency trader SEB has rejected requests from customers to set up accounts to manage Bitcoin. The bank is concerned that software associated with the digital currency may be used to engage in illegal activities. Johan Andersson, chief risk officer at SEB, said in response to [...]
Bitcoin faces latest regulation barrage – this time it’s from Finland January 20, 2014 Today has brought another state-led assault on Bitcoin – Finland, like neighbour Norway, has deemed the virtual currency a commodity, rather than a currency. Finland’s central bank has said that Bitcoin doesn’t even meet the definition of an electronic payment method. Speaking to Bloomberg, Paeivi Heikkinen, head of oversight at the Bank of Finland in [...]
Why 2014 could be the year to invest in Venture Capital Trusts January 14, 2014 ON AVERAGE, investments through Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) have returned 88.6 per cent over the last ten years (with dividends reinvested, assuming an annual 3.5 per cent fee), compared to around 65 per cent for the FTSE All–Share index. VCTs are not for everybody – they are designed to encourage indirect investment in a range [...]
Britain must do more to accelerate exploitation of its vast shale potential January 13, 2014 TO SUPPORT the development of its huge shale potential, Britain desperately needs the backing of investors, local communities, and local government. The stakes are high – with the slow demise of the North Sea, we face rising import bills, a rapidly declining tax base and, as last year’s dispute at the Grangemouth refinery warned us, [...]
Bitcoin bounces back above $1,000 after this new endorsement January 6, 2014 Bitcoin has bounced back across the $1,000 (£610) mark in the wake of the announcement that social game company Zynga would accept the virtual currency for some of its services. Players of games such as FarmVille 2 and CastleVille will now be able to use Bitpay, a Bitcoin payment provider to make in-game purchases. Zynga [...]
The year in preview: Our in-depth guide January 5, 2014 City A.M.’s journalists take a wide-ranging look at what 2014 has in store for the world of finance and business BANKINGRestoring faith means costly overhaulsA CAUTIOUS optimism pervades the British and European banking system at the start of 2014. The incoming economic recovery is at last improving customers’ creditworthiness, while the hard work running down [...]
Housebuilders pledge to end advance sales of homes overseas December 18, 2013 A TOTAL of 11 housing developers have signed a pledge to market their properties to UK buyers first, or at the same time, as marketing abroad. Concerns about properties being sold to foreign investors who then choose not to live in them have led to claims that many London streets are unoccupied while demand in [...]
Bitcoin faces second wave of regulation December 18, 2013 China has announced a fresh wave of regulation for the use of the virtual currency Bitcoin. Bitcoin exchanges will be blocked from accepting new inflows of cash. Exchanges such as BTC China, the world's largest Bitcoin marketplace will no longer be able to accept renminbi from potential buyers. Third party payment companies have been instructed [...]