EX-Visa UK CEO was hired by Crypterium
Marc O’Brien,EX Visa UK and Ireland CEO, goes crypto with Crypterium - new cryptocurrency startup from Estonia. “What Crypterium will do is make that whole process seamless and give an opportunity for a consumer to actually use their cryptocurrency to pay for everyday items” O’Brien stated.
Crypteriumhires O’Brien as CEO to bring in "experienced professional staff that are used to dealing with large-scale, global operations". The startup raised $52 million through ICO last year, and has offices in London and Moscow. New York,Singapore, and Miami are on the way. It might be a big step forward for the whole industry because Crypterium is looking for partnership with either Visa or MasterCard to launch cryptocurrency cards or virtual card. The idea is to give a consumer the unique opportunity - to spend cryptocurrency easy, with transactions in a fraction of a second!
Is "Coinbase" going to apply for a bank license?
The Wall Street Journal reports about the meeting between the management of Coinbase - Major U.S. cryptocurrency exchange and wallet, and OCC - U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
Coinbase's company official declined to comment on the meeting, but the company is “committed to working closely with state and federal regulators to ensure we are properly licensed for the products and services we offer” he stated.
Clearly,a federal banking license would allow Coinbase to offer its own custody and payment services using an OCC limited-purpose charter, and to deal with only one federal regulator, as opposed to a multitude of state ones, as well as offer users federally insured bank accounts.
"Most fintechs come to us because they have heard of this thing called a national banking charter that gives them pre-emption across state lines. When they come and they speak to us, and they understand what it really takes to be a bank,they kind of glaze over and often leave skid marks leaving the building.”Comptroller of the Currency Joseph Otting stated during the meeting of the American Bankers Association trade group in April.
The BlockShow Europe 2018 experts have announced the list of top 10 most crypto-friendly countries
The report is based on political, regulatory and business environment markers , such as regulation of ICO, regulation of cryptocurrencies as a mean of payment and taxation regime.
Switzerland is leading, due to Zug's successes in blockchain valley project. Surprisingly, Belarus jumped on the 10th place, looks like country’s new low tax crypto policy has started bearing its first fruits.
Total cryptocurrency market capitalization stands at $383 957 744 646
By Georgy Shelikhov