Major Asia’s blockchain-focused venture capital firm CMCC Global has launched a new institutional tracker fund for Bitcoin (BTC). Custody by Hong Kong Stock Exchange-listed firm Called the Liberty Bitcoin Fund, the Bitcoin index fund deploys Anxone, a custodial solution developed by BC Group, tech and digital asset company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, according to a press release published on Sept. 17. As one of Asia’s first blockchain VC firms, Hong Kong-based CMCC Global has initiated the Liberty Bitcoin Fund in a move to provide institutional-level access to Bitcoin without the burden of buying and safekeeping coins, the …

The United Kingdom, the United States, Hong Kong and Singapore have the largest number of registered digital currency exchanges, according to data from Bitfury’s blockchain analytics platform Crystal. Crystal published its “Report on International Bitcoin Flows 2013–2019” on Sept. 9, in which it provides insight into cryptocurrency operations and Bitcoin (BTC) transactions around the world between Jan. 1, 2013, and June 30, 2019. U.K. and U.S. lead the rating The findings show that the largest number of registered crypto exchanges are in the U.K., the U.S., Hong Kong and Singapore. Countries such as Argentina, India, Mexico, Russia and Indonesia report …

Cryptocurrency payment processor BitPay faces another publicity nightmare amid claims it blocked donations to Hong Kong for several weeks. According to a complaint on social media by Tom Grundy on Sept. 11, founder of crowdfunded media outlet Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP), BitPay suddenly began failing to pass on funds from donors. Press CEO: “Never use BitPay” HKFP has accepted Bitcoin (BTC) support since 2015. Since that time, BitPay has processed payments worth just under 15,000 HKD ($1,900). For the past three weeks, however, the company has blocked access, Grundy explaining that delays in the fiat banking system were to …

Huobi Group founder Leon Li has been appointed CEO, chairman of the board and executive director of the board of Pantronics Holdings Ltd. Changes at Pantronics A press release shared with Cointelegraph on Sept. 10 announced Li’s new roles at Hong Kong -listed holding company Pantronics Holdings Ltd. The 37-year-old Leon Li, who founded the global digital asset giant Huobi Group in 2013, will help the Hong Kong-based investment company “explore potential new opportunities.” Chris Lee, Pantronics’ current executive director added that Li’s knowledge and experience will be invaluable to the Pantronics team. He said: “The global scale of innovative …

Banking and financial services giant HSBC has completed the first yuan-denominated letter of credit transaction on a blockchain using the Voltron trade finance platform. As Reuters reported on Sept. 2, HSBC conducted the first blockchain-based yuan-denominated letter of credit transaction deploying R3’s Corda-powered Voltron platform. In the cross-border transaction, Hong Kong-based electronics manufacturer MTC Electronics exported a shipment of LCD products to its parent firm Shenzhen MTC. 24 hours instead of ten days The blockchain platform ostensibly enabled the parties to exchange electronic documents in 24 hours instead of the regular five to 10 days required for traditional document exchanges. …

In the crypto space in Asia last week, new data concerning Bitcoin (BTC) use in Hong Kong shows that residents are using crypto to hedge against the possibility of capital restraints, while the Japanese Financial Services Agency (FSA) is undertaking new regulatory actions. Here is the past week of crypto and blockchain news in review, as originally reported by Cointelegraph Japan. Hong Kong bitcoiner explains local BTC demand On Aug. 31, Cointelegraph Japan reported that Leo Wies, chairman of the Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong, said that he is buying Bitcoin because of his fear of possible future capital restrictions. …

The pro-democracy, anti-government protest movement in Hong Kong is spurring wider adoption of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC). Yahoo! Finance reported on Aug. 28 that the political upheaval in the city — which has now entered its 12th week — is prompting several local businesses and individuals to switch to using non-sovereign and decentralized digital currencies. Apolitical, borderless money for the pro-democracy movement On Aug. 26, Hong Kong department store Pricerite announced it would begin accepting Bitcoin, Litecoin (LTC) and Ether (ETH) at its fourteen locations in Hong Kong. Yahoo Finance! notes that the store has indicated it will be …

Hong Kong-based cryptocurrency futures exchange CoinFlex has received $10 million through a funding round that closed last week. Recent funding and goal Asia-focused newspaper South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported the news on Aug. 26. According to the report, CoinFlex received funding from Bitcoin Cash (BCH) advocate and Bitcoin.com CEO Roger Ver, as well as Polychain Capital, NGC Ventures and Divergence Digital Currency. Polychain Capital and Digital Currency Group joined CoinFlex’s investment consortium back in March. CoinFlex is now reportedly looking to increase business from Asian retail investors. A safe haven from price manipulation? Per SCMP, CoinFlex describes itself as …

Major cryptocurrency exchange BitMEX announced that it will restrict access to its platform in Seychelles, Hong Kong and Bermuda. Per an announcement published on Aug. 19, in order to ensure the safety of funds and the stability of the exchange, the firm restricted access from countries in which the offices and workers of its parent company — HDR Global Trading Limited — reside. BitMex also claims that this is a proactive measure and noted, “This change will have no financial impact on the business and will affect very few people.” Part of a broader initiative BitMEX noted that closing trading …

Coming every Sunday, Hodler’s Digest will help you track every single important news story that happened this week. The best (and worst) quotes, adoption and regulation highlights, leading coins, predictions and much more — a week on Cointelegraph in one link. Top Stories This Week Premiums for Bitcoin in Hong Kong and Argentina despite price slump Bitcoin (BTC) briefly veered back into four figures this week — reversing recent gains. It comes amid cooling tensions between the United States and China in their long-running trade war, with Washington deciding to delay the introduction of new tariffs that would have affected …

Bitcoin (BTC) has begun trading at a premium in Hong Kong as continued political uncertainty produces a widely-reported spike in demand. Copycat moves underline fiat distrust Data from P2P Bitcoin exchange LocalBitcoins showed traders paying around $300 more per coin than elsewhere on Aug. 14, which translates into a premium of around 2%. Hong Kong is the latest jurisdiction to see investors stump up a higher implied USD price for the cryptocurrency, with Argentina notably in a similar situation this week. As Cointelegraph reported, the premium there, which at one point reached $1,000 on LocalBitcoins, was tied to a sudden …

Galaxy Digital CEO Mike Novogratz says that Bitcoin’s 2019 rally could have “real legs” given today’s turbulent macroeconomic and geopolitical landscape. In a tweet posted on Aug. 5, Novgoratz remarked that: “With the yuan over 7.0, an FX war, instability in HKG and the beginnings of capital flight, $Btc rally could have real legs.” ‘May you live in interesting times’ Amid a protracted trade war with the United States, China has this week redoubled its own antagonistic policies in response to recent fresh tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump: first, by allowing the yuan to sink to its lowest …