Eyes on 2020

October 23rd, 2017 "Memory is deceptive because it is colored by today's events." – Albert Einstein Got this from a friend? SUBSCRIBE HERE THE FEATURE Blockchain for Inclusion? Gates Foundation Strikes Tepid Tone at Money2020 2014. 2017. You'd think times would have changed, if not elsewhere in the world, then at least in the blockchain sector, where innovation is still the law of the land. But at Money2020 in Las Vegas, so far it seems we're off to the same-old start. While this year's event promises a prominent placement for initial coin offerings (among other blockchain technology use cases), what we have seen appears an awful lot like déjà vu. In an opening day panel, members of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Omidyar Network addressed a familiar range of subjects – cryptocurrency for payments and financial inclusion – and came up with familiar reticence. Their verdict? The technology is still new and exciting (as it was in 2015) and potentially useful (as we heard in 2014). Is this surprising? Maybe not. But it still could end up creating contrast. If the other panelists yet to take the stage are any indication, their statements may better showcase the speed of industry momentum, and just how swiftly statements like these may have to change.  Read the whole story Tweet Share ⚡️ Consensus: Invest ⚡️ The fast-growing cryptocurrency asset class is winning new interest from institutional investors. But how can they enter the market safely and smartly? CoinDesk has the answer.   Come and join us for the world's first digital asset investor outlook event in New York on November 28, 2017.  Wait, there's more: Foxconn Backs $16 Million Series B for Bitcoin Startup Abra Abra founder Bill Barhydt now envisions that bitcoin micropayments and smart contracts, combined with IoT, can underpin a new type of consumer credit. Blockchain for Inclusion? Gates Foundation Strikes Tepid Tone at Money2020 While it sees potential for distributed ledgers in supporting its mission, the Gates Foundation also notes limitations to the technology. Prepping for a Pullback? Bitcoin Price Drops Below $6,000 Bitcoin prices are trending down, but is this the sign of a developing trend? Abu Dhabi Admits 4 Blockchain Startups to Fintech Sandbox The Abu Dhabi Global Market – the city's financial free zone – has admitted a second batch of fintech startups to its Regulatory Laboratory. American Express Eyes Blockchain for Customer Rewards System New patent filings from American Express suggest the credit card provider is looking at blockchain as part of a consumer rewards system. R3 Files Patents for 'Dynamic' DLT Recordkeeping Consortium startup R3 has filed two patent applications detailing ways to apply distributed ledger tech to agreements between financial institutions. Thinking Big? Bank Blockchains Will Advance By Doing Everything But Recently announced bank blockchain projects may be modest in scope, but they are beginning to paint a much larger picture. UK Regulator: DLT Startups Are Being Denied Banking Services The U.K.'s Financial Conduct Authority found that DLT businesses do not receive loans from banks as much as other companies. To the Moon – Or Bust? Questions to Ask When Evaluating ICOs Bruce Fenton offers a much needed uniform set of criteria by which investors can analyze ICOs and cryptocurrencies. Dilbert Comics Mock Blockchain Mania Initial coin offerings – the blockchain funding use case – are the latest subject of the long-running "Dilbert" comic strip. Macroeconomics, Gambling and Crypto: A Perfect Storm? Two small islands are showing us how blockchain-friendly legislation can help encourage development that could affect the whole industry. Money at Risk? Mobile Wallets Become Battleground in Bitcoin Fork Debate As bitcoin heads toward a controversial fork this November, debate is breaking out about how wallet users – and their money – might be impacted. LedgerX Trades $1 Million in Bitcoin Derivatives in First Week New York-based startup LedgerX has concluded a historic first week of cryptocurrency derivatives trading, reporting $1 million in exchanges. BlackRock Strategist: There's No 'Right or Wrong' Price for Bitcoin BlackRock Chief Investment Strategist Richard Turnill says cryptocurrencies are in a bubble right now, but that blockchain technology is promising. Go to CoinDesk BTC: $5,888.14 +0.47% ETH: $286.06 -3.21% @8:30 EST - More price details Copyright © 2017 CoinDesk, All rights reserved. You're receiving this email because you subscribed for updates on our website. Our mailing address is: CoinDesk 636 Avenue of the Americas New York City, NY 10011 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list