Japan’s largest bank is planning to release its own cryptocurrency, called MUFG coin, by March 2018. Image from Kanuman.
Japan’s Largest Bank Releasing Cryptocurrency in March 2018
Japan’s largest bank, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. (MTU), is planning to release its own cryptocurrency by March 2018. The new digital coin, called MUFG coin, will be equal to the Japanese yen and will be dispersed to employees of MTU first. As reported by Investopedia, MUFG coin will enable standard transactions at much lower costs as compared to credit cards.
Blockchain.info Now Allows U.S. Consumers to Buy and Sell Bitcoin
Blockchain.info, a digital wallet provider based in the U.K., is now offering U.S. users across 22 states the ability to buy and sell Bitcoin. As reported by Coin Telegraph, this is the first of many services Blockchain.info is planning to release for U.S.-based clients. Other future releases include exchanges for Ether and Bitcoin Cash.
Arizona State University (ASU) and Dash Agree to Partnership that Facilitates Blockchain Research and Learning
Arizona State University (ASU) and Dash have announced a partnership to facilitate research, development, and education that advances blockchain transaction speed, efficiency, security, and use cases. According to a press release from ASU, the partnership is worth USD 350,000, and it includes scholarships for research students, funding for blockchain-focused research labs, and online blockchain development courses.
SEC Tells Firms to Postpone Cryptocurrency Investment Funds
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has instructed investment firms to postpone plans on starting cryptocurrency funds, due to “significant investor protection issues.” According to the Hill, the SEC still has questions on cryptocurrency funds’ compliance with current U.S. federal trading laws. Most of those questions are about:
- How to fairly and consistently value cryptocurrencies,
- How cryptocurrency funds could hold the legal minimum of liquid assets,
- What the impact of futures trades on cryptocurrencies are, and
- What the current manipulations risks associated with cryptocurrencies are.
Source: ICO Alert