A young Dutch startup says its innovative blockchain platform could put centralized exchanges out of business. Hybrix offers an open-source protocol that allows value to be freely transported between all distributed ledgers. It is complemented by a token that is “technically borderless” and not confined to any single blockchain. According to the company, it currently supports 32 blockchains and 387 tokens, including some of the industry’s best-known networks: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and Zcash. The team behind the project says each blockchain has its own strengths, adding that its token unlocks access to all of these benefits by sitting on top …

The deadline is here: On May 18, unregistered Dutch crypto firms could face penalties if they do not fall into line with the Netherlands’ new anti-money laundering (AML) laws, passed by the Dutch Upper House on April 21. According to the Anti-Money Laundering Directive, companies offering crypto-to-fiat or custodial services should have registered by today. In contrast, those offering only crypto-to-crypto services are exempt. The Dutch Bank (DNB), the body in charge of regulating financial activities in the Netherlands, will be obliged to comply with the mandates of the Dutch government. However, they will not issue licenses for crypto businesses. …

XRP TipBot, a service enabling users to transfer XRP to each other via comments on Twitter, Reddit and Discord, has been saved from the threat of extinction at the hands of new regulations in the Netherlands. In a May 14 blog post, developer Wietse Wind explained that the “personal hobby project” had been at risk due to a registration deadline and vastly increased costs in order to conform to recently passed Anti-Money Laundering (AML) legislation. However, the project has been saved, through a last-minute partnership with digital payment platform Uphold. Regulators and costs looming As Cointelegraph previously reported, the Dutch …

The Netherlands’ central bank, De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), has issued an ultimatum to all fiat-supporting cryptocurrency service providers to register with the institution by May 18. In a news release published on May 4, the DNB told companies that following the Dutch Senate’s vote in favor of an Implementation Act amending the European Union’s fourth Anti-Money Laundering Directive on April 21, the Act’s statutory requirements will soon be coming into force. The strict two-week deadline to register with the DNB is only necessary for those providers offering fiat-crypto conversion services or cryptocurrency custody. Companies’ draft registration applications will have their …

Europeans are getting more confident about the future of the cryptocurrency industry amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new report. People in Europe are becoming more optimistic about the Blockchain space. In 2020, more Europeans believe that crypto will exist in 10 years than ever before, bitFLyer exchange reported on April 29. Amount of crypto believers in Europe edges up 3% in 2020 According to a new survey by bitFLyer, the number of Europeans who believe that crypto will still exist in 10 years has edged up from 63% in 2019 to 66% in 2020. The survey is part …

Dutch Bitcoin (BTC) savings platform, Bittr, has decided to cease operations ahead of Holland’s introduction of the EU’s AMLD5 anti-money laundering, or AML, regulations. Bittr’s closure follows criticism of the Netherlands’ implementation of AMLD5 — reportedly resulting in crypto firms incurring greater fees than credit card companies and traditional trusts. Dutch AMLD5 Forces Closure of Bittr Bittr’s founder, Ruben Waterman, posted on April 22 that the platform will shut down on April 28. Waterman protests being forced to collect sensitive identifying data pertaining to his clients, “even those that purchase as little as [$28] worth of Bitcoin).” “[E]very Bittr customer …

As more and more countries seek to ease strict lockdown restrictions, challenges lie ahead managing social distancing in public places to mitigate the risks of a second wave of infections. GUTS, a Dutch blockchain ticketing company, revealed on April 22 that it has devised a digital access system to regulate crowds and demographics in public spaces. The system is a modification of its existing system and app, which has been in use since 2016. The company said it can be up and running at new sites in as little as one week. How does it work? The system works by …

The Dutch central bank wants to be the proving ground for central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) in the European Union. In a 45-page report released by the bank on April 21, the De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) said it was “ready to play a leading role” with research and development into its own digital currency as well as a Europe-wide digital currency. A digital Euro is expected to make cross-border payments faster and cheaper for all member states who participate. The Netherlands would be a suitable testing ground, the report said. Though not the primary target of the report, the DNB …

In response to the growing demand for cryptocurrency trading, Dutch retail brokerage platform BUX launched its commission-free cryptocurrency trading platform BUX Crypto. In a statement published April 8, the company announced that BUX Crypto is now available across 25 European countries. BUX stated that its new offering aims to bring new traders into cryptocurrency markets by simplifying the crypto trading process. BUX CEO and founder Nick Bortot said: “We see BUX Crypto as a natural extension of our current lineup, which is focused on offering products that make it simple and affordable for even the newest investor to get into …

A consortium of Dutch companies has launched the “Tech against Corona” initiative. Participating firms will freely provide the Dutch government with access to innovative technologies that can be used in the fight against COVID-19. Netherlands-based distributed ledger technology (DLT) firm, Tymlez, is one of more than 10 companies who are freely providing their services and technologies to the government. Tymlez’ blockchain platform to bring transparency to medical supply chain Tymlez has offered its blockchain platform as the underlying technology to “model the medical goods ecosystem through a platform that matches supply and demand.” The firm's blockchain will be used to …

The Netherlands-based Public Health Blockchain Consortium (PHBC) has announced the release of a blockchain-based system designed to track the movement of individuals not infected with high-risk viruses. The impetus behind the development is to help healthy people avoid potentially life-threatening diseases. The PHBC announced the release on March 19, detailing that the blockchain-based platform will monitor systematic, continual and anonymous verification of communities and workplaces, which are not afflicted by dangerous viruses, including the Coronavirus. Recording virus data on blockchain “The blockchain stores a workplace's or community's protection certificate from security organizations or government bodies to assure that all persons …

As blockchain technology increasingly gains traction in the airline industry, another major international air company has announced a blockchain project. Flagship global airline KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is applying blockchain technology to facilitate intercompany settlements process with its subsidiaries. Part of one of the world’s biggest airlines, Air France-KLM, Royal Dutch Airlines has partnered with Dutch software startup Unchain.io in order to explore the potential benefits of blockchain technology for its business and internal processes. KLM’s Digital Studio was actively working on blockchain in recent years After close collaboration, Unchain provided KLM Royal Dutch Airlines with a strategic finance application …