Kasikornbank Financial Conglomerate, a Thai banking giant, has said it plans to launch the country’s first licensed digital asset custodian. The service, called Orbix Custodian, is licensed by the Finance Ministry and supervised by the securities regulator. Kasikornbank is currently testing its systems before launching in early 2025. The goal is to protect investors and…
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Sygnum, a Swiss digital asset banking group, has registered its local subsidiary with the Liechtenstein financial regulator. This move allows the company to offer regulated services in the EU and European Economic Area under the incoming MiCA framework. With plans for further growth in Asia, including Hong Kong and Singapore, Sygnum continues to strengthen its…
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Lightspark, a Bitcoin Lightning Network financial services company, has announced the release of its UMA Extend feature, which focuses on increasing the interaction between crypto and legacy rails in the U.S. With UMA Extend, businesses can opt in for a direction that can be linked to an account, allowing them to instantly receive LN payments…
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Nubank, Latam’s most valuable bank, has partnered with Lightspark, a cryptocurrency-focused financial services company, to bring its customers access to Lightning Network transactions. With this partnership, Nubank expects to lower costs and get more flexibility for users to take advantage of its trading platform, according to Thomaz Fortes, Executive Director for Nubank Crypto. Nubank to…
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The Zurich University of Applied Sciences has said it will kickstart a 16-day Bitcoin economy training course in March 2025. The short course aims to help students understand how bitcoin influences the financial system. Understanding Bitcoin’s Impact on the Financial System The Zurich University of Applied Sciences (HWZ), a Swiss institution, has said it is…
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Some of London’s wealthy residents are reportedly using cryptocurrency to pay for luxury home rentals. High interest rates and a dampened real estate market have led the city’s affluent residents to opt against buying properties. The acceptance of payment in cryptocurrency demonstrates the real estate agency’s openness and its eagerness to become “a leader within…
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The Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has announced it accepts cryptocurrency for its online services via the payment processor Paypal. Besides paying local taxes with coins, residents of the crypto-friendly state will be able to use their digital cash to renew driver’s licenses and plates. Colorado Introduces Online Payments With Crypto at the DMV…
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Cryptocurrency exchange Binance will start offering full services in Japan next month, founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) announced. The leading trading venue for digital assets reenters the Japanese market with a domestic exchange after announcing earlier it was discontinuing services through its global platform. Binance Returns to Japan, Praises Its Web3 Regulatory Framework The world’s largest…
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According to the Egyptian Statistics Bureau, Egypt’s annual inflation rate hit 36.8% in June, a staggering 33.7% increase from May’s inflation rate, breaking records. Egypt, the world’s 14th most populous country, grapples with soaring prices for goods and services across the region. Additionally, the bitcoin exchange rate in Egypt is approaching the record high set…
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Authorities in Pakistan intend to prohibit all internet-based crypto services despite significant digital-asset investments made by Pakistanis. The decision comes as government officials in Islamabad take a strong stance against the legalization of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin. Crypto ‘Will Never Be Legalized in Pakistan,’ Minister Tells Senators Pakistan’s government announced on Wednesday its decision to suspend…
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