Simpsons mobile game references bitcoin and blockchain
The Simpsons: Tapped Out, a popular mobile game, invited users to complete a new quest called Crypto Cool, devoted to crypto and blockchain. Within the framework of the game, Martin, in a dialogue with Homer, constantly talks about blockchain without explaining what it is. Martin says that he mined some bitcoin with his computer, and then “the value went through the roof”, confessing that he pretends to be an expert on it, as he hadn’t heard of blockchain “until last week”.
This is not the first mention of the cryptocurrency in The Simpsons. In a 2013 episode, Krusty confessed that he went bankrupt because he had “bad luck at the ponies, worse luck in the bitcoin markets.”
Australian Meteorology Bureau says cryptocurrency incidents “unrelated”
The first cryptocurrency incident at the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) dealt with were the advertisements took users to a fake CNN news story about a bitcoin startup run by Elon Musk. A second incident involved an Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigation into two BOM staff over allegations they were using the bureau's equipment to mine for cryptocurrency. The Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee heard during Estimates on Monday afternoon that the two cryptocurrency-related incidents at the BOM were unrelated, ZDnet reports.
“There is no connection whatsoever between the two,” BOM CEO Dr. Andrew Johnson commented. “It’s now in the hands of the AFP - it is a matter for them to proceed to prosecute that or otherwise as they see fit.”
IDACB to launch funds to develop the blockchain market
The International Decentralized Association of Cryptocurrency and Blockchain (IDACB) will launchthree funds with a total capital of $300 million to develop the blockchain market, announced Maxim Chereshnev, the association’s secretary. The association also plans to launch of a verification program for ICO projects. An advisory council will be created within the IDACB, with at least 10 people representing each member country. The organisation is also launching a roadshow to help the development of crypto projects in different countries, during which projects can be pitched to foreign investors. The first roadshow has been scheduled for early June, stopping in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta, Brunei and Manila.
LMAX launches crypto exchange for institutional investors
The LMAX Exchange Group, a fintech firm that owns the LMAX Exchange, announced today that it had launched the first institutional cryptocurrency exchange. According to a Finance Magnates report, the exchange, called LMAX Digital, will enable institutional investors to trade in five cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (EXANTE: Bitcoin), Bitcoin Cash (EXANTE: Bitcoin.Cash), Ethereum (ETH/USD), Litecoin (LTC/USD) and Ripple (XRP/USD).
LMAX Exchange’s CEO, David Mercer, said: “The rise of institutional trading of crypto currencies will be a game-changer for the industry. We believe our new exchange will support the transformation of the crypto market from the fringes to the mainstream.”
Jack Ma backs blockchain, labels bitcoin “a bubble”
Jack Ma, founder of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, announced at the second World Intelligence Congress in Tianjin that, unlike bitcoin, the blockchain is not a bubble. Ma has been studying blockchain for many years and is confident that “blockchain must be a solution that addresses the privacy and security issues in the digital era.” Alibaba has become the largest holder of blockchain patents, while China is the country with the most patents globally. Other bitcoin skeptics include Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon and UBS Chairman Axel Weber.
Total cryptocurrency market capitalization stands at $386 061 093 019
By Ekaterina Ulyanova