Sept. 15 came with the announcement from the Binance co-founder and CEO Changpeng Zhao (also referred to as ‘CZ’): One of the largest global crypto exchanges will start testing a crypto-fiat exchange in Singapore. While no further details have been specified, the crypto-fiat Singapore-based exchange will presumably support the local Singapore dollar. A closed beta testing was conducted on Sept. 18, after that CZ shared a hope the platform could start its work within months. Starting an exchange in the third most favorable country in the world for Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) is an ambitious step — the most recent …

A former engineer at Elon Musk’s SpaceX has announced his new firm LXDX would launch a public cryptocurrency exchange, Leaprate reports Monday, September 17. Previously engaged in automation and propulsion at SpaceX, Joshua Greenwald has since turned his attention to institutional-grade cryptocurrency trading. While already operating for institutional investors, Greenwald now wishes to hook the mainstream consumer market. “Our immediate focus is on cryptocurrency and enabling every investor to utilize the exclusive tools, like smart order routing, that only institutions previously could access,” Leaprate quotes him as saying. LXDX received backing from a mixed bag of investors in August, chief …

Backed with continuing adoption, crypto holidays have become a reality. At this point, flights and hotels all around the world can be booked with Bitcoin (BTC). Still, some cities are more ready to accept your BTC — and major altcoins — than others, depending on the local infrastructure and crypto-related policies. According to data from Coinmap, currently there are around 13,150 venues, shops and ATMs supporting Bitcoin on the planet, and that number has been unhesitatingly growing since late 2013. However, as Gili Gershonok, a crypto nomad who deliberately chooses not to have a bank account, told Cointelegraph, ignoring fiat …

The Malta Stock Exchange’s fintech and digital asset subsidiary, MSX PLC, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with crypto exchange Binance to jointly launch a new security token digital exchange, according to a press release shared with Cointelegraph September 11. The press release pitches the forthcoming trading platform as being poised to benefit from the Malta Stock Exchange’s “26-year track record of operating as a regulated stock exchange,” with the dynamism and international scope of Binance’s business model. As previously reported, Binance has steadily been expanding its business presence in Malta, a country whose pro-crypto regulatory stance has earned …

Bittrex, one of the top cryptocurrency exchanges worldwide, has recently invested in Malta-based blockchain company Palladium, local news outlet Times of Malta reports September 2. The U.S.-based Bittrex, now the 18th top crypto exchange by total average trade volume, has bought a 10 percent share in Palladium. In July, Palladium had announced plans to distribute $150 million in tokens in the world’s “first” Initial Convertible Coin Offering (ICCO) in partnership with Bittrex and Unikrn eSports bookmaker, scheduled to begin on July 25. Current shareholders of Palladium include Investar Holding and Unikrn, which own 85 and 15 percent of the company …

The University of Malta has partnered with the Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA) to establish a €300,000 ($351,000) blockchain and distributed ledger technology (DLT) scholarship fund, Times of Malta reported August 29. The new scholarship is targeted at students studying information and communications technology (ICT), law, finance, and engineering, and will be split over three years. Starting this coming academic year, students can apply the scholarship to completing their Master’s and PhD research dissertations in blockchain and DLT. The move comes amidst governmental efforts to attract blockchain companies to Malta by ensuring sufficient staffing capacity locally. Silvio Schembri, the digital …

The CEO of cryptocurrency trading platform Binance Changpeng Zhao announced a demo of the platform’s decentralized exchange in a tweet today, Aug. 9. In a six-minute video attached to the tweet, Zhao presented a “casual, early, pre-offer” demo of the decentralized exchange. The CEO said not “to expect too much” for now, adding that it currently does not have a graphical user interface: A first (rough, pre-alpha) demo of the Binance Decentralized Exchange (DEX), showing issuing, listing and trading of tokens. All cli based, no GUI yet. A small step for #BinanceChain, a big step for #binance. https://t.co/2aXkR0gclP — CZ …

Bitcoin’s boom has spawned more than just a digital currency revolution. Companies across the globe have explored the potential of blockchain technology in a range of different spheres, including cars, phones, and a multitude of disruptive alternatives in banking, government and as well as shipping. Also, it is not only the small startups that are trying to push blockchain innovation, but rather conglomerates as big as Amazon, Alibaba and Microsoft. However, these companies are still trying to negotiate an ever-expanding regulatory framework that is growing at different rates across different states. Many different companies began springing up within the cryptocurrency …

The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) said in a statement that blockchain companies have to wait until a recently passed framework comes into force before applying for approvals and authorizations, news outlet Times of Malta reported July 20. In a statement issued today, the MFSA said it is developing a new framework that will back recently-passed blockchain laws, so operators must wait for a public announcement from the agency before filing a request for approvals and authorizations. The Virtual Financial Assets Act (VFAA), which the Parliament of Malta passed on July 5, will regulate distributed ledger technology (DLT). With the …

HBUS, the U.S. “strategic partner” of Chinese cryptocurrency exchange Huobi, confirmed the release of its API for “experienced traders” in some U.S. states, according to a press release shared with Cointelegraph. HBUS highlighted that the API was geared to high-volume users who required live pricing data and other tools. In addition to price tracking, the API will also offer historical price data, support for margin trade customization support, setting buy and sell limits, and retrieving trade history. Due to the difference in regulation across the U.S. HBUS noted that residents of Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Louisiana, New York, North Carolina, Hawaii, …

The Malta Stock Exchange (MSE) in collaboration with digital asset exchange OKEx will create a new institutional grade security-tokens trading platform, says a MSE press release shared with Cointelegraph on July 19. In mid-spring, major crypto exchange OKEx had moved to Malta, noting their “confidence” in the Maltese government’s approach to cryptocurrencies. The joint project, named OKMSX, launched after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MSE and OKEx, and aims to become a platform for digital asset exchanges with security expertise and client due diligence. MSX has also signed an agreement with Fifth Force, the operator of …

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, you should conduct your own research when making a decision. On July 4, 2018, the Parliament of Malta approved a regulatory framework for blockchain technology, making Malta one of the most ‘blockchain-friendly’ countries in the world. Cointelegraph talked to Simon Schembri, a partner at Ganado Advocates — one of the leading Maltese law firms that was involved in drafting the legislation — about what it means for the country, investors and future. On how it all started “It started a couple of years ago …