Dell accepts Bitcoin in the UK and Canada becoming biggest in the world to take digital currency February 19, 2015 Computer maker Dell has one of the first major businesses to accept Bitcoin in the UK, and the biggest retailer in the world to accept the digital currency. After success in the US, Dell will now accept payment by Bitcoin from UK customers, making it the largest retailer to do so in the UK, and [...]
Finovate Europe: Global FinTech stars meet up at London’s Old Billingsgate February 10, 2015 London played host to a financial technology (FinTech) showcase yesterday as over 70 startups from around the world met at Old Billingsgate market for a showcase of their latest wares. Each presenting company at Finovate Europe was given seven minutes on stage to wow an audience of over 1,000 executives, venture capitalists, journalists, analysts, and [...]
Bitcoin price bounces as first regulated US exchange opens January 26, 2015 The price of Bitcoin has jumped following the opening of the first-ever licensed US exchange, a move that will give a little bit more legitimacy to the controversial cryptocurrency. Lunar Exchange, operated by San Francisco-based Coinbase, has garnered regulatory approval in half of US States, according to the Wall Street Journal. The Exchange will give Bitcoin [...]
Banks warn that Bitcoin could help terrorists January 18, 2015 CRYPTOCURRENCY Bitcoin could make it easier for terrorists to evade the intelligence services, according to Britain’s leading banks. In a document sent to the Treasury, the British Bankers’ Association (BBA) warned that the partial anonymity Bitcoin provides, and its structure as a peer-to-peer currency provide opportunities for criminals. The BBA said banks “need to be [...]
British banks warn Bitcoin could help terrorists January 18, 2015 Cryptocurrency Bitcoin could make it easier for terrorists to evade the intelligence services, according to Britain's leading banks. In a document sent to the Treasury the British Bankers Association (BBA) warned the chancellor that partial anonymity Bitcoin provides, and its structure as a peer-to-peer currency provide opportunities for criminals. The association said banks “need to [...]
Bitcoin crashes below $200: Here’s what you need to know January 14, 2015 The price of cryptocurrency Bitcoin has fallen through the floor, touching lows of $173. The troubled digital currency has lost 30 per cent of its value in just two days. Bitcoin has suffered something of a fall from grace after reaching highs of $1,000 and winning a host of fans among businesses and entrepreneurs. A [...]
Banks need to stop shunning Bitcoin – CNBC Comment December 22, 2014 The UK government, led by chancellor George Osborne, wants London to become the world’s Bitcoin hub. Meanwhile, the Bank of England has released a study detailing the digital currency’s virtues. So why, under the surface, is there a “chilling effect”, threatening to derail a sector that could bring millions of pounds to the UK economy? [...]
Farewell corporate power: How the rise of the blockchain could change everything December 15, 2014 OUR WORLD is full of third parties – the people and organisations that regulate and manage our interactions. The financial world is particularly replete: conduct authorities, prudential bodies, central banks. Even commercial financial institutions themselves often operate as little more than giant third parties, co-ordinating the connections between millions of lenders and borrowers. However, a [...]
The digital currency boom: Britain can claim first-mover advantage by acting now December 11, 2014 The UK has always been at the forefront of financial innovation, and we continue to lead the way today. This year, we became the first Western country to issue sukuk sovereign bonds. But we risk being caught on the hop in the emerging digital world. Within a few years, digital currencies, like Bitcoin, have gone [...]
Microsoft quietly starts to accept Bitcoin payments December 11, 2014 Microsoft has quietly started accepting Bitcoin payments. Customers can now use the cryptocurrency to buy content such as Windows phone apps, Xbox games and the Xbox video stores. The software giant made no formal announcement, instead creating an information page on its website which tells customers how to top up their accounts using the virtual currency. [...]