Twist on trade

Coinbase gets BitLicense, blockchain-based trade finance group, SatoshiPay funding, TØ purchase, Chinese trading volume View this email in your browser January 18th, 2017 "Anyone who has lost track of time when using a computer knows the propensity to dream, the urge to make dreams come true and the tendency to miss lunch." – Tim Berners-Lee Got this from a friend? SUBSCRIBE HERE Seven major European banks are working together on a blockchain-based trade finance project with an unusual focus. While most trade finance initiatives are designed with large global corporations in mind, this project is aimed at improving the process for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe. Called Digital Trade Chain, the platform will be based on a trial initiated last year by Belgian bank KBC. So far, the banks involved are KBC, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, Natixis, Rabobank, Société Générale and UniCredit. The initial focus will be on France, Germany and the UK, with Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands also being actively considered for roll-outs. CoinDesk spoke to some of the project's participants, who believe that the target of launch in the second half of 2017 is achievable. If so, it will be a big step towards placing blockchain efficiencies within reach of a broad market.   Read the whole story Tweet Share Just a couple more weeks to go before the launch of our CONSTRUCT conference. We have an impressive line-up of founders, CTOs, CEOs and other really smart people for two intense days of workshops, panels, demos and networking. So far we're expecting about 400 developers, engineers and industry leaders – if you're one of them, we're really excited about seeing you there! 😎 APPLY TO ATTEND 😎 Wait, there's more: The Blockchain is Still Waiting for Its Web. Here is a Blueprint *Opinion piece*: Author and investor William Mougayar points out that the blockchain is still far from user-friendly, and likens its current situation to that of the early days of the internet, before web layers made it less technical and more accessible. He believes that until we can unify standards such as formatting languages, accessibility and retrieval, blockchain developments will continue to operate as silos and will miss the huge opportunity and scale that comes from connecting systems. Read more. Estimating China's Real Bitcoin Trading Volumes In this guest article, cryptocurrency trader and entrepreneur Willy Woo takes a look at China's alleged dominance in bitcoin trading. He suggests that the figure of 98% market share reported by the exchanges is based on fake volume, and calculates that a more accurate figure is around 85%. Willy also points out that most trading volume happens off exchanges in over-the-counter trades, so the real global volume is unknown. Read more. Digital Asset's New Challenger: DLT Disillusionment Digital Asset Holding's project with the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) has apparently hit some road bumps in the form of stakeholder skepticism, according to a report in AFR. However, DAH and ASX representatives confirmed to CoinDesk that engagement efforts were continuing, and that the project has already received strong levels of interest. An ASX report due in mid-February will give more details. Read more. ECB's Mersch: Central Bank Risks Reputation With Early DLT Adoption Yves Mersch, a member of the European Central Bank's executive board, directed words of caution at central banks during an event in Helsinki: explore blockchain technology, but carefully. Read more.   China's Biggest Blockchain Startup Will Release New Tech in 2017 Shanghai-based Juzhen Financials plans to launch its own blockchain platform for banks later this year, in collaboration with clients and members of the ChinaLedger blockchain consortium. Read more. Interpol Hosts Latest Digital Currency Conference in Middle East Backed by Interpol, Europol and the anti-money laundering and terrorism financing unit of Qatar's central bank, the aim of the conference is to foster collaboration between law enforcement agencies in investigating crimes involving digital currencies. Read more. Overstock's TØ Blockchain Platform Acquires Market Data Firm The firm, Blue Ocean Financial Technology, is a finance data service provider based in Singapore. TØ will use the assets acquired to offer a transparent, electronic marketplace for trading US-listed securities outside of US trading hours. Read more. Bitcoin Exchange Coinbase Receives New York BitLicense This makes it the third company to receive one, and solidifies the cryptocurrency exchange's operating status in the state. Read more.    Bitcoin Startup SatoshiPay Nets €640k in New Funding The investment in the bitcoin micropayments firm was led by Blue Star Capital, and is part of a larger funding round that aims to raise €1m. Read more.   Go to CoinDesk BTC: $863.27 -2.2%  ETH: $10.02 -0.6% @10:00 EST - More price details PRESS RELEASES   06, Jan - Press Release: UNICEF, UK Home Office and BTCC to speak at London Blockchain Week 2017 05, Jan - Press Release: Introducing World's First Bitcoin Marketplace for Digital Goods 05, Jan - Press Release: The Seam to form Cotton Blockchain Consortium with IBM on Hyperledger Fabric Hi there! Listen, what time of day do you read this email? When would you like to receive it? 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