Switzerland-based cryptocurrency exchange ShapeShift has laid off a third of its team, the exchange’s CEO Erik Voorhees announced in a tweet today, Jan. 8. According to a company blog post accompanying the Twitter announcement — entitled “Overcoming ShapeShift’s Crypto Winter and the Path Ahead” — ShapeShift has laid off 37 of its employees, reducing the size of its team by a third. In the post, Voorhees attributes the staff cuts to the “latest bear market cycle,” noting that the company’s “greatest and worst financial decision [was] to embrace substantial exposure to crypto assets.” The CEO also revealed in the post …

Crypto loans company Salt Lending Holdings Inc., once associated with high-profile crypto industry stalwart Erik Voorhees, is facing a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) probe over its 2017 $50 million token sale, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Nov. 15. Founded in 2016, Salt — which uses clients’ crypto holdings as collateral against fiat currency loans — is reported to have received a subpoena from the securities regulator this February, according to “sources familiar with the matter.” Among other issues, the SEC is said to be investigating whether Salt’s 2017 token sale was a noncompliant securities offering (i.e. whether …

American stock broker Peter Schiff “technically lost” to ShapeShift CEO and crypto commentator Erik Voorhees in a ‘Bitcoin Debate’ at the SoHo Forum July 2. The two financial thought leaders debated about the top cryptocurrency Bitcoin (BTC) and its underlying technology blockchain, questioning the potential for mass adoption, and comparing Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies with other asset types such as fiat money and gold. Voorhees, the Bitcoin bull of the debate, claimed that Bitcoin will eventually become a substitute for state-backed money, while government structures would be reorganized using blockchain technology. Voorhees argues that Bitcoin is “supremely good money” praising …

CharityStars is an online fundraising auction platform for the nonprofit sector that launched a series of auctions with prominent leaders in the Blockchain space. The auctions which will be closed on Dec. 18, include meetings with Dr. Julian Hosp, co-founder and President of TenX, Ryan Taylor, CEO of Dash, Brock Pierce, chairman of the Bitcoin Foundation, Erik Voorhees, CEO of ShapeShift, and more. “We believe that joining forces with such reputable leaders will not only draw deserved attention to the charities in need but also highlight the staggering benefits that this emerging technology can bring to the nonprofit sector.” Francesco …

Cointelegraph begins LIVE video streaming of LaBITconf from Mexico! This major Annual Latin American Bitcoin Conference takes place in Mexico City on December 4-5, 2015. The great part of the conference is held by local companies in Spanish with simultaneous translations. While guests of the conference, including Andreas Antonopoulos, Trace Mayer, Erik Voorehes, Tuur Demeester, speak in English. Follow the LIVE video streaming and listen to smart chosen topics from Cryptocyrrency and FinTech experts to drive through Bitcoin and Blockchain opportunities. LaBITconf Schedule December 5 Registration Mexico - 10:00 (GMT-6) New York - 11:00 (GMT-5) London - 16:00 (GMT) Athens …