How regulation and market priorities drive fintech focus globally June 28, 2017 The interest in fintech worldwide shows no signs of abating, as illustrated by the strong attendance at each stop on our recent CFA Institute speaker tour throughout Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East. But even more interesting is the regional variation in what 'fintech' means to local entrepreneurs. Talking to investors, company founders, [...]
Bitcoin’s back over $1,200 despite the Winklevoss twins’ ETF disappointment March 13, 2017 Bitcoin surged upwards overnight after it took a dive at the end of last week when the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) denied approval for Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss to list a bitcoin only exchange-traded fund (ETF). The twins' hopes were dashed on Friday after the US regulator said it wasn't happy with the fact the [...]
Bitcoin just surged above $1,300 before crashing back down March 10, 2017 The price of cryptocurrency bitcoin just surged before crashing back down. The currency flew to surpass $1,300 and hit a new record high of $1,365, before falling back down to below $1,100, according to one index. The rollercoaster price comes as investors speculate over whether the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will approve one of three bitcoin-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The [...]
The UK government’s crackdown on encryption threatens to undermine London’s fintech boom February 10, 2017 Talk of calamity befalling corporate Britain as we negotiate our EU exit is typically overblown. Nevertheless there is a potentially serious conflict in the making between the UK government’s stated desire to maintain access to certain online data for reasons of national security and the continental European determination to institute a modern system of information [...]
As China’s central bank hauls in several bitcoin exchanges, could governments crush the cryptocurrency? February 8, 2017 Harriet Green, deputy business features editor at City AM, says Yes: If governments like China’s perceive bitcoin to be a threat, they will seek to undermine it. While they couldn’t destroy existing bitcoins, they could destroy demand. Any cryptocurrency is at risk of being made illegal by any government. Granted, users can move underground, but [...]
The price of Bitcoin has just fallen off a cliff after China said it is “monitoring” exchanges January 11, 2017 The price of bitcoin fell sharply today, after it emerged China's central bank is moving to "closely monitor" local bitcoin exchange businesses. The cryptocurrency fell as low as $784.56 in lunchtime trading, before settling just above $800, 10.7 per cent down. The People's Bank of China published a statement this morning saying it had formed a joint [...]
The spy who accelerated me: Meet the 7 startups fighting cybercrime with GCHQ January 11, 2017 Britain’s spymasters have selected seven startups to work “behind the wire” with the intelligence service in a bid to fight the growing threat of cyber attacks against UK business. A digital identification system which is secured via cryptographic technology and a system which uses neural networks to protect banks from being hacked are just two of [...]
Bitcoin’s started 2017 with a bang surging past $1,000 January 2, 2017 Bitcoin has got off to a roaring start in 2017 surging past the $1,000 "psychological barrier" for the first time in three years. Already on a tear in 2016, hitting a string of highs and more than doubling in value last year, the price passed the milestone late on Sunday according to Coindesk's bitcoin price index (BPI). [...]
The price of bitcoin has hit highs not seen since 2014 December 13, 2016 The price of bitcoin has hit a near three year high as global and political uncertainty continue to make the cryptocurrency an increasingly attractive safe haven for investors. The price of bitcoin versus the dollar surpassed its 2016 high of $781.31, reaching highs not seen since early 2014 and creeping closer toward the $800 mark. It hit a high of [...]
Blockchain chief executive Peter Smith talks smart contracts, homelessness and starting the world’s largest bitcoin wallet December 12, 2016 When I speak to Peter Smith, he is mid-juggling three events in as many days: a board meeting, moving his entire London team to new offices, and the office Christmas party. “We haven’t even had the office opening yet, but it’s all been fine,” he reflects. The first of these requires a day trip to [...]