📈 Bitcoin and Ethereum Recovered In Price, While Apple, Tesla And Netflix Began To Be Traded On Crypto Exchange And P-o-K Members Were Trying To Get Their Money Back
Ethereum Recovers, 1 Week Left Before The Hardfork
Probably, recovery is not a completely accurate term, since a cryptocurrency market cannot offer exact expected levels, however, some growth occurs. At the end of the first week of 2019, we can quite clearly expect that Ethereum will continue to surge over a period of time, up to $160. Despite some negative trends in the community of this project, Ethereum devs still have to do something. The upcoming hard fork, as expected, will be held on the basis of the 7,080,000 block, which will be found from 14 to 16 (18) January.
The question that is being discussed now is the ASIC mining devices ban within the network. It is reported that the Ethereum developers have already agreed on a new update of the platform's core, and the planned changes will be implemented. However, the effect of this upgrade is not entirely clear; as they say, thanks to ProgPoW, the participants will mine ETHs on non-ASIC devices, so videocards, for example, will be suitable for mining.
"Sounds like we have come to agreement that we are tentatively going ahead with ProgPoW, which means we are going ahead unless there is a major problem found with the testing or things of that nature. We will be going forward with ProgPoW."
At the same time, the three largest cryptocurrency exchanges, Binance, OKEx and Huobi Global announced support for the upcoming Ethereum hardfork. Most likely, this week before the update will be full of various announcements, so it should be followed. Now, when an important update is approaching, the more and more positive messages are yet to see.
TRON (TRX) Updates: Receive TRON By Using µTorrent
TRON (TRX) also showed good results, staying in the green zone for a long time. And, although Justin Sun accrued BitTorrent in 2018, and advertises TRX under this umbrella for a long time, news about the TRX-based currency has caused a stir. As officially stated, BitTorrent Foundation will release BitTorrent Token (BTT) based on the TRON protocol in the amount of 990 billion This currency will be paid to users as a fee for distributing files in one of the most popular torrent softwares.
Today we unveil our new token BitTorrent $BTT which features native TRC-10 compatibility and will be exclusively available to non-U.S. accounts on #BinanceLaunchpad, the token sale platform by leading cryptocurrency exchange @binance! 🙌 More info below https://t.co/iNx26vwOwI pic.twitter.com/hssMXAFSXp
BitTorrent Inc. (@BitTorrent) January 3, 2019
Justin Sun: TRX will overtake EOS. Earlier Sun tweeted that Tron is growing rapidly, and the network already has 83 decentralized applications. And it seems that the founder promises new heights for his community. He also promised to get ahead of EOS in the number of dApps by the end of January of this year. Now there are 259 decentralized applications, but, as we understand, the numbers here aren't the clear indicator of success - it is important for users that they get really useful things.
#TRON grows rapidly and has 83 Dapps in @dapp_review now! Mission accomplished! We will surpass EOS on the number of Dapps (now 259) at the end of January, 2019! #TRX $TRX https://t.co/ybPZdldmEI pic.twitter.com/HlbkUgi9Po
Justin Sun (@justinsuntron) December 30, 2018
Many also linked the rise of currency with the transition of the popular decentralized game EtherGoo from Ethereum to Tron blockchain. This game is also inspired by CryptoKitties, the popularity of which leaves no rest for the dApps developers. In the Ether Goo users need to buy cryptokitties and try to make money with them.
Binance Launchpad Will Feature New Projects in 2019
Binance re-launches the Launchpad platform, which is designed to hold tokensales and support varuous projects. Once launched in 2017, the platform will work again, and this time its opening is accompanied by the BitTorrent ICO in connection with the distribution of BTT tokens mentioned above.
Other details are not reported. However, it is known that users will be able to buy tokens using the native currency Binance Coin, as well as Bitcoin and Ethereum. Notice that in some countries, for example, the United States, participation in tokensales can't be accessed.
Media: Houbi Reportedly Closed Its Unit In Shenzhen
Cryptoсommunity is closely following the news that signals changes in the digital market. And, as practice shows, it is not in vain. After a decline in mining amid Bitcoin price decline, many expect cryptocurrency exchanges to gradually reduce their employees, as smaller startups do, for example. This time, as 8btc reports, Chinese news media Odaily reported on Thursday that Huobi, one of the major exchanges, has probably closed its Shenzhen division and fired all 14 local employees.
Shi Wei, Huobi’s director of public relations, confirmed this. More than 20 full-time employees actulally work at Huobi Shenzhen, but now the 14 remaining employees will leave the company. According to the representative, the company cuts down on its worst employees. Another source, in the meantime, reports that after the dissolution of the company, some former employees will join other branches of Huobi.
Those familiar with the question blame Huobi’s domestic politics. So, by the end of December the exchange dismissed 1/3 of its employees. One of the reports also indicated that the Huobi's CEO Wen Xiaoqi's is fighting for power in the company, which leads to destabilization of corporate cash flows.
Proof of Keys: Bitfinex, Poloniex, HitBTC And Other Exchanges Under Suspicion (full List)
Probably, Proof of Keys is one of the most interesting actions from the crypto community initiative point. At a very theoretical level, PoK implements the answer to the question, “what occurs when many people withdraw their money from a bank at one time?” and so on. So, the reality has been tested both on ontological and practical levels.
On January 3, participants started to withdraw their cryptocurrency from exchanges to private wallets in order to prove that users own their money, and not third parties at the moment. Users challenged the largest exchanges to test their integrity. As we understand, unless otherwise specified, in theory, the exchanges do not take users' money into circulation and take an interest only for certain services.
Several cryptocurrency exchanges "experienced problems" during the flashmob. Some of users reported the refusal or delay of withdrawal of funds on Bitfinex, Poloniex, HitBTC and Purse.io. As experts say, mass withdrawal requests could have impacted problems in the operation of crypto platforms which use complex system of cold/hot wallets.
We are aware of some issues on our platform and are working quickly to resolve. Please be assured all funds are safe. We appreciate your patience.
Bitfinex (@bitfinex) January 3, 2019
Of course, we do not have statistics on how many users sent requests for withdrawal of funds, what type of problems they encountered. But at the same time, it is not only about security and quality of exchange services, but also a full understanding of the mechanisms that rules the cryptocurrency market.
Overstock Will Start Paying Some Taxes In Bitcoin. Adoption? Real Use?..
Overstock, one of the leading US retail companies, has announced that it intends to start paying taxes in Bitcoin. At the moment, this can be done in Ohio, which partnered with BitPay to become the first state to accept cryptocurrency for business taxes. Overstock thanked the Ohio government and noted the new opportunity in the following words:
«We applaud Overstock for becoming the first national brand in America to register to pay taxes via cryptocurrency. Their embrace of blockchain technology was ahead of its time and we’re proud to have them join OhioCrypto.com»
These news at first glance may not seem very impressive regarding the cryptocurrency adoption. However, the tax system is different, in general, has complex procedures and this innovation signals the adoption of Bitcoin at a very isolated, but still accessible level.
Apple, Tesla and Netflix shares will be traded on DX.Exchange
On the issue of the legality of this process, need to notice that DX.Exchange will verify its operations with Nasdaq to enable trading and prevent market manipulations. Tokens received by users will give them the right to own real shares of companies in the 1: 1 ratio. The launch is planned for today, January 7th 2018.
At first, users will be available to buy shares of such companies as Amazon, Facebook, Microsoft, Tesla, Netflix, Apple, Baidu, Intel, Nvidia and AlphaBet, that is, almost the entire popular high-tech segment. However, according to general estimates, it is not entirely clear whether trading on this cryptocurrency exchange will be more convenient or profitable.
New York To Have First Crypto Task Force
As it became known, governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill dubbed “The Digital Currency Study Bill” into law on December 21, 2018. The new US government unit will consist of nine members, developers, investors, businesses and others. The task of the new body will be to inform the governor of New York and the legislative assembly about the impact of digital currencies on the state economy.
"Recently, New York State became the first state in the nation to create a cryptocurrency task force to study how to properly regulate, define and use cryptocurrency. Last week, NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo, signed into law THE DIGITAL CURRENCY STUDY BILL, A8783B/S9013."
The tasks that the commission sets for itself are quite extensive, and include monitoring of the crypto area, companies and exchanges, investments and legislative initiatives or recommendations that can be taken. Thus, cryptocurrencies will officially cease to be a blind spot for "New York, [which] leads the country in finance [and] also lead in proper fintech regulation".]
🏆 this week, 10 years ago, the main Bitcoin network has been launched | Satoshi Nakamoto and Bakkt CEO Kelly Loeffler are into WorthPower100 list |
💱 OKEx launches ETH/LTC perpetual swaps | ConsenSys and AMD become partners for cloud computing on blockchain basis | Bakkt completed its 1st round of $182.5 million funding
🏛️ stablecoins in Texas can be qualified as ordinary "money" (there are consequences) | UK FCA is investigating 67 cryptocurrency firms
👉 now: BTC surpass $4,100 for the 1st time in 2 weeks
