ICO Alert Crypto Minute: March 24, 2018
Telegram on pace to raise another $850 million in its ICO, Bitstamp to be acquired by South Korean investors, top 5 cryptocurrency price changes, and more!
Telegram On Pace to Raise Another USD 850 Million In Its ICO
Telegram is on track to raise another USD 850 million in the third month of its ICO. According to Bloomberg, cryptocurrency investors are placing sufficient orders in the second round, despite Telegram’s token price being triple that of last month’s and the recent downturn of the cryptocurrency market. Telegram claims that it will use the ICO funds to build its own blockchain network called TON, rent servers, attract new users, and pay operating expenses.
New York Times Reporter Claims Group of South Korean Investors in Discussions to Acquire Bitstamp
As reported by Financial Magnates, a group of South Korean investors are in discussions to acquire Bitstamp. The New York Times reporter Nathaniel Popper cited “highly placed sources with knowledge of the matter” when he first tweeted about these acquisition talks. Bitstamp has not yet confirmed or denied the acquisition rumors to any major news outlets.
Yahoo Japan to Launch Cryptocurrency Exchange with BitARG’s Systems
According to Nikkei Asian Review, Yahoo Japan will acquire 40 percent of BitARG Exchange Tokyo, then launch a cryptocurrency exchange based on BitARG’s system no earlier than April 2019. Both companies have already reported their capital tie-up plan to Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA). Yahoo Japan executives and engineers will be sent to BitARG in April 2018 to begin development of corporate governance structures, a customer management system, and internal controls.
Tennessee Enacts New Law Recognizing Legal Authority of Blockchain-Based Ledgers
Tennessee’s government has enacted a new law “recognizing the legal authority to use blockchain technology and smart contracts for electronic transactions.” According to CoinTelegraph, the new law also makes a provision that “protects ownership rights of certain information secured by blockchain technology.” Republican state senators Steven Dickerson and Richard Briggs, and Democrat state senators Lee Harris and Jeff Yarbro sponsored the bipartisan bill.
Sierra Leone Admits that It Is Not the First Country to Have a Blockchain-Recorded Election
Sierra Leone has rebuked Agora’s claims that it helped the country conduct the first-ever election using blockchain technology. As reported by Bitcoin Magazine, Sierra Leone officials clarified that Agora had been given only international observer status in its election. Agora COO Jaron Lukasiewicz stated:
“I take responsibility for any misunderstandings that exist in the media. We have made an official statement that includes hard facts about our accredited role in the election. As a company, we will now turn our focus back onto building technology for our next election.”
