Bitcoin and Blockchain News Feb 2, 2016

Bank of England Economist Joins Ledger Journal Editorial Board -  Ledger, the first peer-reviewed academic journal devoted to cryptocurrencies, has added a Bank of England economist and researcher to its editorial board. Dr Michael Kumhof is senior research advisor in the new research hub of the Bank of England, where he co-leads and helps to formulate the research agenda. Daniel Palmer / Feb 02, 2016 03:00 pm BNY Exec: Lack of Industry Standards Hurting Blockchain Tech -  Blockchain tech may be all the rage among major banks, but to Saket Sharma, CIO of BNY Mellon's Treasury Services unit, that doesn't mean they aren't encountering issues. In a new interview, Sharma discusses why he believes the pursuit of industry standards is key to broader adoption. Stan Higgins / Feb 02, 2016 10:22 am UNICEF Innovation Fund Hints at Blockchain Investments -  The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has hinted it could invest in blockchain startups or initiatives through its Innovation Fund. The organization further announced that it is accepting applications for investment from the fund, launched in May of last year. Stan Higgins / Feb 01, 2016 11:05 pm Corrupt Silk Road Agent Arrested in Alleged Attempt to Flee Country -  A former secret service agent who pleaded guilty to crimes committed while investigating the online black market Silk Road has been arrested again. Federal prosecutors believe Shaun Bridges, convicted in December, may have tried to flee the country. Stan Higgins / Feb 01, 2016 10:00 pm Japan's Largest Bank Latest to Develop Own Digital Currency -  Japan's largest bank, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (MUFG), has revealed it has developed its own digital currency nicknamed "MUFG coin". The announcement comes amid an increasingly active period for both commercial and Japanese banks in exploring blockchain and distributed ledger technology. Pete Rizzo / Feb 01, 2016 07:50 pm BAFT Event Attendees See Future With Billions of Blockchains -  A new survey conducted a recent BAFT event shows bankers are increasingly bullish on blockchain tech, even as they profess to a lack of understanding of the subject matter. In total, 70% of respondents said their institution is working on blockchain tech, yet 69% said they did not have a "good grasp" of how it works. Pete Rizzo / Feb 01, 2016 06:34 pm Japanese Financial Giant Invests in Bitcoin Exchange Kraken -  Japanese venture capital firm SBI Investment is leading a Series B investment round in bitcoin exchange Kraken. While the terms of the deal were not disclosed, a statement from Kraken said that a "multi-million dollar" investment had been agreed. Daniel Palmer / Feb 01, 2016 06:06 pm Read More Bitcoin News → Consensus 2016 Registration Now Open We are hosting Consensus 2016 on May 2-4 in New York City in collaboration with DCG and Coin Center. We've already confirmed several speakers and registration is now open. Industry Press Releases 01 Feb - Closing the Loop: Bringing a Trillion Dollar Industry to Bitcoin 28 Jan - New Coinsource Bitcoin ATM Locations in San Diego, Las Vegas and Dallas 28 Jan - Cetas Announced as the Winner of Most Transformative Use of Blockchains in Citi Mobile Challenge – APAC 2015 Read More Press Releases →   Share this email Copyright © 2016 CoinDesk Ltd, All rights reserved. You're receiving this email because you subscribed for updates on our website. Our mailing address is: CoinDesk Ltd Treviot House 186-192 High Road Ilford, Essex IG1 1LR United Kingdom Add us to your address book view in browser / unsubscribe / update subscription Advertise on CoinDesk