Lightspeed Venture Partners is set to become the latest addition to Silicon Valley’s growing interest in blockchain endeavors. The top-tier VC firm is now explicitly investigating how to create a new cryptocurrency investment project. Lightspeed has a specific focus on investments centered on enterprise technology, consumer, and cleantech markets. As such, cryptocurrencies fits into its investment philosophy. Despite the considerable interest in the plan, the firm has yet to decide on a suitable mechanism with which to carry out the project.
Source:https://btcmanager.com/lightspeed-ventures-set-to-launch-a-crypto-investment-fund/?utm_source=onesignal&utm_medium=push

Blockchain conference, BlockShow Europe 2018 has released a study identifying the top 10 European countries for starting a blockchain company. Switzerland is number one on the list, due to its positive regulatory dynamics and forward-thinking position on setting government guidelines for crypto startups. The country has been a hotbed for crypto innovation as home to Zug’s “Crypto Valley.” Gibraltar and Malta round out the top three due to similar dynamics and government participation.
Source:https://btcmanager.com/blockshow-releases-findings-on-the-best-european-countries-for-blockchain-startups/?utm_source=onesignal&utm_medium=push

According to multiple reports, the Pentagon and the Defense Department are debating on whether or not cryptocurrency ownership is a problem for those who have U.S. security clearances and those applying for these privileges. The U.S. agencies may define digital currency owners as a ‘security risk’ in order to protect foreign and domestic classified information.
Source:https://news.bitcoin.com/bitcoin-owning-contractors-with-u-s-security-clearance-may-be-flagged-risky/?utm_source=OneSignal%20Push&utm_medium=notification&utm_campaign=Push%20Notifications

LMAX Exchange is launching a cryptocurrency exchange called “LMAX Digital Venue” for banks and hedge funds. The UK trading platform will enable institutional investors to purchase and sell cryptocurrencies like bitcoin (BTC), ether (ETH), litecoin (LTC), ripple (XRP), and bitcoin cash (BCH).
Source:https://btcmanager.com/lmax-exchange-launches-cryptocurrency-exchange-for-institutional-investors/?utm_source=onesignal&utm_medium=push

EconoTimes recently reported that the US is planning to apply blockchain technology to address the issue of illegal migrants and criminal behaviour at the borders with Mexico and Canada. First of all, this is about using a blockchain to store and protect the data collected by CCTV cameras. At the moment, all video recordings are stored in centralized databases, which is extremely inefficient and unsafe. Firstly, they are vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Secondly, even the best staff are not capable of monitoring such a large number of video recordings. This means they cannot respond to illegal actions in a timely manner. Thirdly, a fairly large budget is required to store this amount of data.
Source:https://itsblockchain.com/faceter-border-control-us-blockchain/

While Islam frowns at high-interest rate lending, currencies not backed by commodities or assets, and Ponzi schemes, the Shacklewell Lane mosque in London has caught the bitcoin bug and has made it possible for Muslims in the area to give alms and make donations to the mosque with cryptocurrencies.

Bitcoin for Zakat and Sadaqah
In what seems like a forward-thinking maneuver, the UK’s first Turkish-owned Mosque is accepting bitcoin and Ethereum’s ether this Ramadan season.

“The zakat will be used to feed the poor in our local community and help others in need. We will also put a portion aside to help with the urgent renovations needed at the mosque. Inshallah (by God’s grace) the cryptocurrency campaign is a success, and we do receive donations. If it works, I’m sure many other mosques and Islamic charities, not just in Britain but worldwide, will start doing the same,” said the Mosque chairman, Erkin Guney.

According to Yahoo Finance, Gurmit Singh, the owner of a tech company introduced the idea of crypto integration to the mosque and enlightened them on the benefits.
Source:https://btcmanager.com/uk-mosque-plans-to-accept-bitcoin-and-ethereum-for-alms-and-zakat-this-ramadan/?utm_source=onesignal&utm_medium=push

After the notorious 5 BTC ‘bitcoin puzzle’ was solved last January after years of people trying to crack it, now another bitcoin puzzle was launched this week on forums and social media. On May 19, 2018, a person posted an image which contains a bitcoin puzzle that rewards the solver 1 BTC.
Source:https://news.bitcoin.com/armchair-detectives-have-another-bitcoin-puzzle-to-solve/?utm_source=OneSignal%20Push&utm_medium=notification&utm_campaign=Push%20Notifications

India’s second-biggest software service exporter, Infosys Limited, has developed a custom blockchain-powered trade finance network in a bid to overcome fraud in the Indian banking industry. To start, seven private lenders will test the trade finance network to increase security and transparency in the finance sector.

Blockchain to Combat Banking Frauds
The seven Indian private lenders that have enlisted to pilot the network include Axis Bank Ltd, ICICI Bank Ltd, IndusInd Bank Ltd, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd, RBL Bank Ltd and South Indian Bank Ltd. Infosys envisions several international banks to join Infosys trade finance network.

Sanat Rao, Chief Business Officer at Infosys Finacle, said: “We’re in very advanced discussions in Australia with a consortium of banks and I think you’ll see more announcements.”

The Indian banking industry is in deep water, due to the string of frauds that came at the hands of poor banking infrastructure and disloyal bank employees. Reportedly, banking frauds in the country have doubled in India over the last five years. The total Indian banking fraud has reached over $4 billion. However, implementing blockchain technology can enhance security and transparency throughout the trade finance process.

Trade finance can be a messy task as it involves multiple participants to complete a transaction. Leveraging blockchain technology to trade finance can cut the entire process duration while making the task less paper-intensive. Infosys’ blockchain powered trade finance network makes transactions transparent for all participants of the trade finance process, which includes importers, exporters, regulators, financiers of both buyers and sellers, insurers and service providers.
Source:https://btcmanager.com/indian-software-exporter-infosys-develops-blockchain-powered-trade-finance-network/?utm_source=onesignal&utm_medium=push