FTSE 100 slips but global markets hit fresh highs on vaccines and stimulus December 17, 2020 The FTSE 100 slipped, weighed down by a rising pound, as global markets hit a new all-time high amid optimism about vaccines and fiscal and monetary stimulus. Despite the rise in global stocks, the FTSE 100 lagged behind as the pound rose 0.8 per cent to $1.360, a 32-month high. A higher pound weighs on [...]
Stop the world I wanna get off! June 9, 2020 The amazing accomplishments I described in my last edition seem a distant memory with what has been a horrific week around the globe. According to the W.H.O. Sunday, 7th June saw the highest number of deaths recorded with the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic shifting to Latin America, Brazil being ravaged the most it seems. [...]
Crypto AM shines its Spotlight on Venrai July 21, 2020 Venrai provides a suite of compliance advisory, security audit and technology development services to those organisations possessing appetite to seize the disruptive benefits afforded by blockchain technologies. What is the opportunity? Blockchain can most succinctly be described as the “Internet of Value”. Whereas the internet itself is merely a digital communication network, excitement quickly ensues [...]
Bitcoin critic warns central banks ‘risk financial stability’ by issuing digital currencies March 22, 2019 A prominent bitcoin critic has warned central banks against issuing their own digital currencies. Read more: JP Morgan launches its own cryptocurrency Augustin Carstens claimed central banks issuing digital tokens would need to take on customer-facing tasks that would result in “huge operational consequences for central banks in implementing monetary policy and implications for the stability [...]
Ethereum: A New Financial Network September 29, 2020 “The greatest risk is in not looking, not seeking to understand” — Christine Lagarde If we are to understand the financial services innovation brought forth by blockchain (a form of Distributed Ledger Technology) we first must comprehend the architecture behind our current banking and financial services industry. As of today, the industry consists of centralised service providers [...]
Minimum Effective Blockchain May 26, 2020 Many enterprise IT teams feel there is no justifiable use case for blockchain. At the other end of the spectrum are those who believe in storing every last bit, byte and nibble of data on the blockchain. Neither of these is overly helpful in supporting the adoption of blockchain networks in industry. A foundational premise [...]
Are Brokers ready to rule Crypto? July 14, 2020 As the crypto market matures and large cryptocurrency exchanges amass deep liquidity, brokerage firms–prime brokerages included–are ready to enter the market, setting the stage for the next phase of industry growth. When it comes to traditional financial markets, brokerages have long offered essential services to customers. Whether it’s full-service investment brokers providing investment advice and [...]
Artificial intelligence meets blockchain June 9, 2020 Blockchain Depends on its Community. A strong link is forming between the two most powerful emerging technologies of the decade. On one side is AI, the data-hungry machine that is replacing humans at breakneck speed. On the other is Blockchain’s trustless systems – not where trust doesn’t exist, but where trust isn’t a variable; it’s [...]
The Future of the Staking Economy June 24, 2020 Satoshi Nakamoto’s Bitcoin whitepaper emerged from the global financial crisis of 2008. In early 2009, the Bitcoin network launched with a headline in the genesis block: “Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks”. The motivations of the project were clear. With the frailty of our financial systems exposed, the quest to create an alternative, [...]
Crypto AM shines its Spotlight on Umbria February 2, 2021 DeFi is the next wave in the crypto revolution. The opportunities and benefits are truly mind-boggling. However, a core challenge for the adoption of decentralized finance is that it has an extremely steep learning curve with a high barrier of entry. Enter Umbria, a project on a mission to demystify and simplify DeFi and get [...]