Bitcoin now legal alternative to US dollar in California June 30, 2014 The governor of California has signed assembly bill 129, which gives Bitcoin and other digital currencies the status of legal money. Jerry Brown's signature has finally clarified Bitcoin as valid form of payment in the golden state after AB-129 was passed in February by the California Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee by a 7-1 [...]
Blockchain breaks new ground with DNA wallet June 27, 2014 The blockchain technology which underpins the network of cryptocurency Bitcoin, is breaking new ground through an Israeli startup called DNA.Bits. DNA.Bits is planning to store genetic and medical data, with genetic information available to researchers. However, privacy will be maintained through the use of private keys to keep a digital DNA Wallet. The new technology [...]
Isle of Bitcoin: Jersey to take on Bali as best place for cryptocurrency June 24, 2014 Jersey is set to take on the tropical island of Bali in a race to become the most attractive jurisdiction for Bitcoin businesses. Campaign group Bit.Coin.Je is hoping to solidify Jersey's reputation as a hospitable regulatory environment. Oscar Darmawan, CEO of Bitcoin Indonesia, recently launched a new initiative called ‘Bitislands’ in the hope of turning [...]
Bitcoin finds new champion in US Congress June 23, 2014 Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have had a testy relationship with legislators. Across the world lawmakers have struggled to articulate a coherent response to the rapid rise of digital currencies. Many have been sceptical about their benefits and sometimes have even displayed outright hostility to the emergence of semi-anonymous private monies. However, in the US House [...]
Bitcoin banned by Bolivian central bank as a threat to national currency June 20, 2014 Bitcoin is facing another crackdown from government authorities after the El Banco Central de Bolivia banned any currency that is not issued or regulated by the Bolivian government. The list of cryptocurrencies that were mentioned by name in the Bolivian central bank's directive included Bitcoin, Namecoin, Peercoin, Quark, Primecoin and Feathercoin. The announcement was the [...]
Bitcoin and the future of free market money June 19, 2014 The correct government response to the rise of cryptocurrencies should be to allow free competition on a level playing field, according to a new monograph published by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA). New Private Monies: A Bit-Part Player? was launched at the IEA's offices in Westminster with a panel discussion in front of a [...]
Ashton Kutcher has his Bitcoin moment June 17, 2014 Bitcoin security platform BitGo has landed $12m in new funding thanks to a host of venture capitalists, as well as Hollywood A-lister Ashton Kutcher. The series A funding round makes BitGo "one of the most well-funded companies in the Bitcoin ecosystem". Kutcher has sung the praises of the company, saying BitGo is “the best solution [...]
Bitcoin Jesus offers citizenship to libertarian paradise June 16, 2014 Roger Ver, otherwise known as Bitcoin Jesus, has expanded the horizon of what can be bought with the world's favourite cryptocurrency. The self-described libertarian and founder of Passports for Bitcoin is selling the right to live in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis in cryptocurrency. Just a three-hour flight away from Miami, the islands [...]
Bitcoin apps welcomed back to Apple with Coinpocket wallet June 16, 2014 Apple's rapproachment to cryptocurrencies appears to bearing fruit, with the first Bitcoin wallet app available to download on the company's iOS app store, according to Coindesk. Apple recently updated its guidelines to allow for apps transmitting "approved virtual currencies" so long as they do not break the law. The Coinpocket app gives users the same [...]
Bank of England deputy governor says Bitcoin is an “interesting” payment tech June 11, 2014 Bitcoin is an "interesting" technology, says newly appointed Bank of England deputy governor Ben Broadbent. Speaking before the Treasury Select Committee (TSC), Broadbent said that "the payment technology is interesting" but that the idea that it is a proper currency is "much less clear". Now responsible for monetary policy, Broadbent said that the first lesson [...]