On The Web

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Systems

Mastercard Files 15 Metaverse and NFT Related Trademarks

April 12 2022

• in
• Digital currencies

“Payments giant Mastercard has filed 15 nonfungible token (NFT) and metaverse trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO. Highlights of the filings include plans for a virtual community for interacting with digital assets, the processing of payment cards in the Metaverse, an online marketplace for buyers and sellers of downloadable […]

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Systems

Terra Expands Stablecoin Reserve Beyond Bitcoin With Avalanche

April 8 2022

• in
• Digital currencies

“Public blockchain Terra, which captured the attention of the cryptocurrency world by pledging to buy $10 billion in Bitcoin to build a reserve for its UST stablecoin, is diversifying that strategy. Luna Foundation Guard, a Singapore-based nonprofit organization built to support Terra, will acquire Avalanche tokens worth $100 million from the Avalanche Foundation to boost […]

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Systems

Toomey Unveils Stablecoin Bill Granting OCC Authority for Payments Charter

April 8 2022

• in
• Digital currencies

“Introduced by Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., on Wednesday as a discussion draft , the Stablecoin Transparency of Reserves and Uniform Safe Transactions (TRUST) Act would allow stablecoin issuers to choose from one of three regulatory regimes, including one novel approach that would authorize the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to charter a “national […]

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Regulation

Yellen Says U.S. Crypto Rules Should Support Innovation, Manage Risks

April 7 2022

• in
• Digital currencies

“U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Thursday crypto asset regulations should support responsible innovation while managing risks, sticking to the contours of a recent White House executive order that was well-received by the crypto market.”

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Systems

Crypto Mortgages Test Home Buyers’ Appetite in Digital-Currency World

April 6 2022

• in
• Digital currencies

“Some Miami developers have enabled buyers to purchase homes in cryptocurrency since at least 2021. Now a pair of Miami lenders is going one step further by offering home mortgages in digital currencies. Milo, a fintech company in the lending business, made the first crypto home loan in March, when it provided a 30-year mortgage […]

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Systems

Britain Sets Out Plan to Exploit Crypto Potential

April 5 2022

• in
• Digital currencies

“Britain set out a detailed plan on Monday to exploit the potential of cryptoassets and their underlying blockchain technology to help consumers make payments more efficiently. As part of creating a global cryptoasset hub, financial services minister John Glen said Britain will legislate to bring some stablecoins under the regulatory net such as complying with […]

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Systems

Sudan’s Central Bank Warns Against Digital Currencies Amid Economic Collapse – CoinGeek

April 4 2022

• in
• Digital currencies

“Sudan’s central bank has issued a public warning against the use of digital currencies, claiming residents face legal risks. The Central Bank of Sudan (CBOS) recently issued the warning, stating that digital currencies entail high risks. These include “financial crimes, electronic piracy and the risk of losing their value.””

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Systems

Visa Launches Program for NFT-focused Entrepreneurs – Blockworks

March 31 2022

• in
• Digital currencies

“Visa has launched a program to help content creators grow their businesses through NFTs. The payment company is looking to select entrepreneurs working in art, music, fashion and film who currently, or plan to, incorporate NFTs (non-fungible tokens) into their business models.”

On The Wires

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Deals

Circle Announces $400M Funding Round

April 12 2022

• in
• Digital currencies

“Circle Internet Financial, a global internet finance firm and the issuer of USD Coin (USDC), today announced it has entered into an agreement for a $400M funding round with investments from BlackRock, Inc., Fidelity Management and Research, Marshall Wace LLP and Fin Capital. The funding round is expected to close in the second quarter. In addition to […]

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Systems

Worldpay From FIS Becomes First Global Merchant Acquirer to Offer Direct USDC Settlement, Driving Digital Currency Adoption to Businesses

April 6 2022

• in
• Digital currencies

“Financial technology leader FIS ® (NYSE: FIS) announces that its Worldpay from FIS business will be the first global merchant acquirer to offer merchants the ability to receive settlement directly in USD Coin (USDC), a fully reserved dollar digital currency. Stablecoins are a type of cryptocurrency pegged to a ‘stable’ reserve asset (such as the U.S. […]