Coincheck, the Japanese crypto trading platform that found new owners after it was hacked earlier this year, is now planning to offer services on the US market. The exchange expects to be licensed in Japan next month, according to the chief executive of Monex, the online brokerage which bought the troubled company last month.   
Source:https://news.bitcoin.com/japanese-exchange-coincheck-eyes-america-for-expansion/?utm_source=OneSignal%20Push&utm_medium=notification&ut

If you work in cryptocurrency and are a member of Linkedin, you’re probably familiar with OTC bitcoin brokers. They’ll message you, out of the blue, asking if you know any private sellers, and will offer to set up a deal for your mutual benefit. The majority of these men (for they are always men) are genuine in their intentions. This does not disguise the fact, though, that BTC brokers are little more than sharks circling the same prey.
Source:https://news.bitcoin.com/inside-the-competitive-world-of-otc-bitcoin-trading/?utm_source=OneSignal%20Push&utm_medium=notification&utm_campaign=Push

A recent survey conducted by Etoro, the social trading and multi-asset brokerage company, revealed that women only account for a tenth of crypto traders. This information solidifies the fact that gender inequality is still a major stumbling block for the crypto sector. Since the inception of Bitcoin, it has been for the most part judged as a male dominion.

Women Love Ripple while Men Dominate Ethereum and Bitcoin Cash
Etoro’s survey was conducted between March 2017 to February 2018 on individuals using their services. The extensive survey took into consideration crypto participation based on age, gender and job sector.

According to the survey, women make up 8.75 percent of all crypto traders. However, the demographic insights are not shocking as it is not the first survey to highlight crypto sectors underlying concern – Gender Inequality. Moreover, as per the study, female involvement seems more limited to sales and marketing jobs. Overall, however, the crypto sector is a mix of technology and finance, both of which suffer similar gender inequality.

In beating these odds, many women hold esteemed positions at major crypto businesses. Some prominent women in the crypto sector include Blythe Masters, the CEO of Digital Asset Holdings, Elizabeth Stark of Lightning Labs and Antoinette O’Gorman, the CCO at Ripple.

The Etoro survey not only highlights the demographic distribution but also digs deeper to reveal the type of cryptocurrencies preferred by men and women. As per the survey, Bitcoin enjoys zero percent gender imbalance, while Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, and Litecoin remain a male dominion. Interestingly, women are inclined towards trading Ripple’s XRP.
Source:https://btcmanager.com/women-only-account-for-8-75-of-crypto-traders-according-to-etoro-survey/?utm_source=onesignal&utm_medium=push

Reuters reported Switzerland is formally considering the possibility of a state-backed cryptocurrency. Its government has asked legislators commission a study on the pros and cons of a Swiss “e-franc.”
Switzerland Considers State Backed E-Franc
Switzerland’s Federal Council explained why it was asking for a formal study of state backed cryptocurrency. “The Federal Council is aware of the major challenges, both legal and monetary, which would be accompanied by the use of an e-franc. It asks that the proposal be adopted to examine the risks and opportunities of an e-franc and to clarify the legal, economic and financial aspects of the e-franc.”
SOURCE:https://news.bitcoin.com/switzerland-formally-considers-state-backed-cryptocurrency/?utm_source=OneSignal%20Push&utm_medium=notification&utm_campaign=Push%20Notifications

China publically issued the world’s first government-issued blockchain and cryptocurrency ratings on May 17, 2018. The development is the first in a series of steps planned by Beijing to regulate the burgeoning digital asset class.

Ethereum at Number One, Bitcoin at Number 13
According to a report on a website owned by China’s Ministry of Industry and IT, the Asian superpower analyzed and issued public ratings on 28 cryptocurrencies, based on three factors: underlying technology, protocol creativity, and application.

The results show that the smart contract platform Ethereum is ranked as the number one cryptocurrency, with its technology assessment index garnering a total rating of 129.4.

The ministry placed Bitcoin at rank 13, giving it a low 39.4 rating for its technology, and 13.1 for application. Regardless of the low score, the pioneer cryptocurrency enjoyed the highest “creative” index, and this is due to the fact that bitcoin is responsible for starting it all (blockchain and decentralized movement), and being the first one to do so.

Despite releasing ratings, there is no clarity on the rating criteria and methodology. How the agency come up with the numbers is anyone’s guess. The announcement follows the establishment of national guidelines for blockchain technology, expected to be finalized by the end of 2019 according to state-run Economic Information Daily.
SOURCE:https://btcmanager.com/china-officially-issues-cryptocurrency-rankings-ethereum-bags-first-place/

Cryptocurrencies have undeniably taken over the tech world by storm, as is evident by a large number of riveted entrepreneurs and traditional institutions showing interest in the digital asset segment. However, funding opportunities remain barren, leading blockchain enthusiasts to either bootstrap their business or launch an Initial Coin Offering (ICO). Easing this gap is Ripple, one of the most lauded cryptocurrency giants, by filling in as the proverbial ‘Spring’ of the dull crypto-funding ecosystem.

Funding Businesses, One Ripple at a Time
On May 14, 2018, Ripple announced Xpring, an initiative that would invest, incubate, acquire, campaign, and provide grants to blockchain and cryptocurrency firms. Under Xpring, selected entrepreneurs would utilize XRP, Ripple’s native token, and XRP ledger, an open-sourced and decentralized ledger, to build innovative products for solving customers’ problems.

Enumerating on their reason to launch Xpring, Ripple claims to have been approached by many entrepreneurs who sought technical support, due to the former’s understanding of the XRP ledger.

Furthermore, Ripple added they are “among the few blockchain companies with traction to a non-speculative function,” hence well-equipped for the role of an incubator.
SOURCE:https://btcmanager.com/ripples-announces-launch-of-xrp-fund-creates-an-actual-use-case-for-token/?utm_source=onesignal&utm_medium=push

The allure of cryptocurrencies is hugely lucrative to institutional investors, especially for those have primarily been holding back from making large-scale investments in digital assets due to the definite lack of security and solutions. However, several firms are sensing both demand and business opportunities, and in turn, launching their own “Custody” services for institutional investors.
SOURCE:https://btcmanager.com/japanese-it-giant-nomura-to-become-worlds-first-crypto-asset-bank/