Bitcoin

Zero Confirmation Transactions are no longer science-fiction (Live Bitcoin News)

So what can be done to reduce wait time? A radical solution proposed and implemented by several well known bitcoin firms is Zero-confirmation transaction processing. Yes, Bitcoin transactions without any verification. While this may sound extremely insecure at first, it does have built-in measures to prevent double spending. Block Cypher, a blockchain company, has introduced what they call a ‘Confidence Factor’.

Bitcoin Trial Sees No Customers, Millionaire Says Cash is Enough: India (Coindesk)

Despite a giant drive to increase Bitcoin’s profile among mainstream consumers, reports have stated that using the virtual currency in brick-and-mortar establishments is still cumbersome. “Places like these don’t really need bitcoins,” a self-outed Bitcoin millionaire added to Factor Daily, adding that in spite of everything, cash wallets were “enough” for most.

Altcoins

Cryptocurrency Market Maker Rialto Will Use Ripple Technology and the XRP Asset (Live Bitcoin News)

Move Over, Bitcoin. Ether Is the Digital Currency of the Moment. (New York Times)

Against this backdrop, Ether has been gaining steam. The two-year old system has picked up backing from both tech geeks and big corporate names like JPMorgan Chase and Microsoft, which are excited about Ethereum’s goal of providing not only a digital currency but also a new type of global computing network, which generally requires Ether to use.

Blockchain

EС Will Explore Blockchain Potential For Industrial Transformations (The Cointelegraph)

“Blockchain and other Distributed Ledger Technologies are developing very fast. They have the potential to reshape many business models and we notice a growing interest by companies in the technologies. Many applications are at an early stage, however, and we need already to identify areas where the impact may be most significant and discuss potential challenges with stakeholders. Therefore, we are launching this project [...] to be better prepared to unlock the new opportunities provided by these technologies for industrial transformations and mitigate potential risks.”- Slawomir Tokarski, DG GROW’s Director of Innovation and Advanced Manufacturing

Nevada Senator: We Want to Be 'Home Base' for Blockchain Startups (Coindesk)

"It's certainly the hope that this environment will draw the attention of people who are interesting in starting companies or looking for a home base for a company and utilizing blockchain." – Ben Kieckhefer, Nevada Senator

'Absolutely Necessary': How Blockchain Could Help Tech Giant Cisco Reboot (Coindesk)

If Cisco’s complex supply chain can be further simplified by integrating it with blockchain or machine-to-machine communication, Greenfield argued that entirely new smart contract-enabled services could be built directly into the hardware.

Regulation

Forfeit Your Bitcoin? Congressional Bill Draws Fire Over Border Check Rules (Coindesk)

One of the points of concern is a policy called 'civil asset forfeiture'. In the US, law enforcement officials have faced strong opposition to the rules, by which assets, particularly cash, can be seized if they are suspected of being connected to criminal activity. Proponents say it deters money laundering and – controversially – provides a funding means for police forces in the US.

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