The Association of German Private Banks (Bankenverband) foresees that a need for new regulation may arise from the emergence of distributed ledger technology (DLT)-based securities. The association expressed its concerns in a post on its official website on March 11, Cointelegraph auf Deutsche reported. Per the post, if securities are issued using new technologies, then there is a need for new safekeeping and settlements processes. According to Bankenverband, corporate actions and securities trading may also be subject to change because of DLT-based securities. The statement further explains that because of the changes that new technologies will create in business processes, …

Estonia-based Nasdaq-powered digital trading platform DX.Exchange is claiming an industry first with its launch of security token trading and security token offering (STO) listings. The development was shared with Cointelegraph in a press release on March 14. As previously reported, DX.Exchange went live in January, with support for various fiat and cryptocurrency trading pairs and tokenized stocks. In March, the platform added tokenized exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to its supported products. According to the press release, the platform now allows investors to purchase security tokens using both fiat and major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Tether (USDT) and Ripple …

Disclaimer: This article previously reported that the politicians’ statements were made during the public hearing at the Bundestag’s Finance Committee, rather than ahead of it. It has been redacted to reflect accurate timing. German parliamentary representatives have argued that the country’s blockchain strategy should include an appropriate legal framework for cryptocurrency trading and token issuance that would encourage the sector’s domestic development. The suggestion was put forward by the Union parties’ finance spokesperson Antje Tillmann and her colleague Matthias Hauer in a statement put forth ahead of a public hearing at the Bundestag’s Finance Committee on March 11. The scheduled …

Major United States cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase had bought blockchain intelligence startup Neutrino for $13.5 million, according to an acquisition contract reportedly obtained by Bitcoin Magazine on Wednesday, Mar. 6. The legal document, whose authenticity has not been independently verified by Cointelegraph, is dated Feb. 15, and it reportedly provides the exact amount of the two firms’ purchase contract, which was previously unknown. The document states that the crypto exchange has agreed to acquire “the units of the respective total ownership representing the entire share capital of the Company [Neutrino].” According to the document, Neutrino’s founders, CTO Alberto Ornaghi, CEO Giancarlo …

Estonia-based digital trading platform DX.Exchange has added tokenized Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) to its services, according to press release shared with Cointelegraph on March 6. The move involves the tokenization of popular ETFs, such as SPY, which represents the S&P 500, and QQQ, which backs the Nasdaq Composite at a 1:1 ratio. UWT (crude oil) and UDOW are among other ETFs offered on the platform. The ETFs offered can now be purchased both for cryptocurrencies and fiat during trading hours as well as after-hours. According to the press release, the introduction of tokenized ETFs on DX.Exchange complies both with the latest …

French President Emmanuel Macron has advocated the use of blockchain to innovate supply chain management in the European agriculture industry. The president made his remarks during the 56th International Agriculture Fair in Paris on Saturday, Togolese agriculture news site Agridigitale reported on Feb. 23. Macron called for unity among European nations to counter competition from global markets in China, Russia and the United States, underscoring the importance of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in this regard. He identified three broad strategies to advance the continent’s agricultural industry and maintain a competitive edge, affirming that “no farmer or consumer wants …

Liechtenstein-based Bank Frick is launching an institutional cryptocurrency trading platform subsidiary, DLT Markets, Cointelegraph auf Deutsch reported on Feb. 22. According to the bank’s announcement, DLT Markets will provide institutional investors “with fully regulated and secure multi-exchange access to the digital token asset class.” Edi Wögerer, CEO of Bank Frick, declared: “With our spin-off, we are offering institutional clients a unique combination of a fintech company and a bank regulated by the EU[.]” Roger Wurzel, who previously worked in business development at Bank Frick, has been appointed as the CEO of the new subsidiary, the press release reports. The bank’s …

Major crypto wallet provider Blockchain.com has opened its fifth office location, continuing its expansion into Europe, the company announced in a blog post on Feb. 19. According to Blockchain.com, the company considered several locations in Europe, choosing Vilnius, Lithuania. The firm said it found that the country was truly committed to innovation and the perfect place for a new office. The crypto firm also reports it is looking to hire employees in Lithuania, with new vacancies to be announced over the coming weeks. Lithuanian Minister of economy and innovation, Virginijus Sinkevičius, commented on the move: “We’re thrilled to welcome Blockchain …

A Greek member of the parliament (MEP) of the European Union, Eva Kaili, declared that central banks have too much control over people’s deposits, according to a post published on Ripple’s blog on Feb. 8. According to the post, Kaili made the comments at the Ripple Regionals event in London last week. The MEP said that she realized that central banks had too much control over people's funds after the debt crisis in Greece. During her talk — which was dedicated to how the EU will regulate blockchain and cryptocurrency — Kaili also stated that she believes blockchain technology will …

Major United States crypto exchange and wallet provider Coinbase is launching support for European Union residents to make fiat currency withdrawals to online payment system PayPal. The development was announced in an official blog post published on Feb. 5. As reported, Coinbase had first rolled out PayPal withdrawal support for U.S. users last month. The European extension of the service will reportedly apply to both E.U. residents and those living in European Free Trade Association countries — Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Coinbase had previously integrated support for PayPal back in summer 2016, but terminated the service within several weeks …

United States merchant services provider and payment processing firm Aliant Payments has announced it will offer free crypto transaction processing to some merchants, according to a press release Jan. 29. Aliant’s crypto processing product for merchants, dubbed CryptoBucks, was launched in 2017. As the firm announced today, free crypto processing via the platform is now available “to qualifying merchants that sign up for debit and credit card processing.” The company clarified that the merchants must be located in the U.S. or Europe. According to the press release, Aliant has partnered with a publicly traded domestic bank, assuring its customers that …

European cryptocurrency exchange Bitstamp has announced a partnership with major Swiss online bank Dukascopy, according to an announcement published on Friday, Jan. 25. Bitstamp will support Bitcoin (BTC) transactions on behalf of Dukascopy Bank. Clients will be able to send BTC to their accounts, convert them to U.S. dollars and trade on the Swiss FX Marketplace. In addition to that, customers can transfer their funds back to the wallet in form of BTC. Bitstamp believes the new partnership will contribute to bridging the gap between crypto and traditional finance. In October, 2018, Bitstamp was acquired by Belgium-based investment firm NXMH, …