BLOCKCHAIN
Blockchains incorporate several important features such as immutability, encryption and distributed storage, which combined makes secure peer-to-peer transactions possible and in turn has created the means to end human dependence on credit and thus credit intermediaries. Due to these features, blockchain has been referred to as ‘the Trust Machine’ and is forecasted to transfer the trust from agencies and institutions which are enforced by law to machine-based networks guaranteed by technology and mathematics.
JPMorgan Collaborates with Indian Banks to Launch Blockchain-Based Dollar Settlement System, Reported Bloomberg
JPMorgan Chase & Co., the American multinational investment bank, has formed an alliance with six Indian banks to inaugurate a blockchain-based platform that will handle interbank dollar transactions within India's emerging International Financial Centre.
Blockchain Labs and HashKey Capital Launch Future3 Campus, a Web3.0 Innovation Incubator
Blockchain Labs and HashKey Capital have announced a joint initiative to establish Future3 Campus, a Web3.0 innovation incubator aimed at promoting the global Web3.0 ecosystem.
Venom To Launch A Blockchain Hub With Kenyan Government
Venom Foundation has announced a strategic partnership with the Government of Kenya to establish a “blockchain hub” in Africa, focusing on the development of Web3 and blockchain technology applications. This collaboration aims to drive innovation in key sectors such as financial infrastructure, supply chain, agriculture, SMEs, and cross-border trade, benefiting Kenya and the entire African continent.
US Regulator Crypto Custody Proposal Opposed
The US SEC's proposal to amend its custody rule has faced opposition from the Blockchain Association and Andreessen Horowitz, who have filed letters criticising the rule's impact on investment advisers and its potential to curtail investment in digital assets. The SEC's proposal would apply more stringent rules on investment advisers in the custody of assets, including crypto.
Bitget Launches Blockchain4Youth Initiative
Bitget has announced the launch of its new corporate social responsibility project, Blockchain4Youth, which will provide blockchain courses and certifications, host campus lectures in partnership with universities worldwide, and incubate innovative projects by young entrepreneurs. The initiative will commence with a series of campus lectures on Web3 held in universities across Taiwan, Vietnam, and Thailand. Bitget plans to allocate $10 million over five years towards this project.
Mastercard Launches Web3 Crypto Solution
Mastercard has launched a Web3 solution called the "Mastercard Crypto Credential" aimed at improving user verification standards in the digital asset space. The solution offers users a unique identifier, helping them to verify that an address has been vetted by Mastercard and operating in compliance with the firm's standards. Partnerships with crypto wallet providers and blockchains were also announced.
Google, UK, FTX and Binance in Crypto News
Google expands its Web3 program with 11 blockchain partners, while the UK government commits $125 million to accelerate its AI readiness. FTX is set to sell LedgerX for $50 million, and Binance.US backs out of a $1 billion Voyager asset purchase, citing regulatory concerns.
Mastercard Launches Web3 Solution for Crypto Verification
Mastercard has launched a new Web3 solution called "Mastercard Crypto Credential" aimed at enhancing user verification standards in the digital asset space. The solution is designed to provide a unique identifier to users, enabling them to instantly verify that an address they want to send funds to has been vetted by Mastercard and has been operating in compliance with the firm's standards. The solution will support compliance through the exchange of metadata and help reduce the opportunities for bad actors.
Google Ads Used in $4M Crypto Phishing Scam
Scammers have stolen over $4 million in cryptocurrency from users falling for phishing websites promoted on Google Ads, according to blockchain analytics by ScamSniffer. The fraudulent websites prompt wallet login signature requests that compromise users’ addresses, and have targeted decentralized finance protocols, websites and brands. Metadata from some of the phishing websites has been linked to advertisers in Ukraine and Canada, who bypass Google’s ad review process by manipulating the Google Click ID parameter and using anti-debugging methods. ScamSniffer estimates that scammers spent around $15,000 on advertising which provided a return on their investments of 276%, given the $4 million stolen to date.
Santa Cruz Adopts Blockchain for Govt Services
Santa Cruz County in California is set to launch a pilot program using a blockchain-powered digital wallet for government services, including bicycle registration and RV parking registration. The program, powered by HUMBL, will launch in July 2023 and run a three-stage pilot program. The county aims to provide a formal report and rollout plan for the digital wallet by September 2023.