1. Bitcoin Climbs to Highest in a Year Amid Cryptocurrency Comeback
Bitcoin soared to the highest level in a year, extending a run that’s seen prices more than double since March.
The largest cryptocurrency climbed as much as 10% Monday from levels late Friday, and was trading at $8,847 as of 10:25 a.m. in Tokyo. Rival coins were also stronger at the start of the week. Litecoin added almost 9% and Ether, the second largest digital token, rose 6%.
[Source: Bloomberg] ✩✩✩✩✩
2. Two Miners Purportedly Execute 51% Attack on Bitcoin Cash Blockchain
Two miners have reportedly executed a 51% attack on the bitcoin cash (BCH) blockchain, according to tweets by Cryptoconomy Podcast host Guy Swann on May 24.
A 51% attack occurs when someone controls the majority of mining power on a Proof-of-Work blockchain network. This means that the majority block verifier can prevent other users from mining and reverse transactions.
[Source: Cointelegraph] ✩✩✩✩✩
3. Telegram Messenger Introduces New Programming Language for TON Network
Privacy-focused encrypted instant messaging service Telegram has created a new programming language for its Telegram Open Network (TON), according to a document posted on an unofficial TON Telegram channel on May 23.
The document — evidently authored by Telegram co-founder Nikolai Durov and dated May 23 — introduces a new language called Fift. The language is specifically designed for developing and managing TON blockchain smart contracts, and interacting with the TON Virtual Machine (TVM).
[Source: Cointelegraph] ✩✩✩✩✩
4. Montana Passes Bill to Recognize Utility Tokens and Exempt Them From State Securities
The United States State of Montana has recognized utility tokens and exempted them from state securities by passing a new bill this month. House bill 584, titled “Generally revise laws relating to cryptocurrency,” was signed by the Governor of Montana Steve Bullock on May 8.
Initiated by State Representative Shane Morigeau, the bill had its first reading in February 2019. The Bill has now passed with 33–15, and will come into force on July 1.
[Source: Cointelegraph] ✩✩✩✩
5. Facebook in Talks with Winklevoss Twins to Register “GlobalCoin” on Gemini
The Financial Times reported on May 24, 2019, that Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg had held talks with the twin cryptocurrency billionaire brothers and co-founders of the Gemini cryptocurrency exchange.
[Source: BTCManager] ✩✩✩✩
6. Crypto exchange Binance prepares to add margin trading ‘soon’
Binance, the world’s most prominent crypto exchange, says it is close to adding a much-anticipated margin-trading feature to its service following weeks of speculation.
The company tweeted confirmation of the upcoming feature in a screenshot that subtly teases the imminent arrival of margin-trading options. Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (pictured above) first revealed the feature was headed to Binance during a live stream following a hack earlier this month that saw Binance lose around $40 million in Bitcoin.
[Source: TechCrunch] ✩✩✩✩
7. Swiss Telecom Company Is Bringing Crypto Collectables to TV
Telecommunications giant Swisscom has unveiled a new approach to using non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
The product, called Noow, will display art that you own and you and the artist will know how many copies of his or her works have been distributed.
The app comes from a Zug-based, Dloop, which spun out of Swisscom’s accelerator, Kickbox.
[Source: Coindesk] ✩✩✩
8. Monero (XMR) Developers Plan New Proof of Work Algorithm ‘RandomX’
Developers for Monero are considering a shift in their algorithm that will replace its current CryptoNight operating system.
Recent industry talk on algorithms has centered on the second largest cryptocurrency by market cap Ethereum, which is in the midst of a landmark 2.0 upgrade that will transition the currency from Proof of Work (PoW) to Proof of Stake (PoS). The decision has sparked debate over whether Proof of Work is becoming an outdated model for cryptocurrency and if PoS can offer more in terms of energy efficiency and utility.
[Source: EthereumWorldNews] ✩✩✩
9. LocalBitcoins Bans Bitcoin Buying in Iran in Blow to Rising Crypto Commerce
LocalBitcoins has officially shut off service for Iran-based users, a move that follows weeks of rising rial trading volumes on the platform.
The Helsinki-based peer-to-peer exchange has not explicitly said why Iranians are suddenly being cut off from its service, though U.S. sanctions are almost certainly the cause.
[Source: Coindesk] ✩✩✩✩
10. Origin Story: Vacheron Constantin Harnesses Blockchain To Authenticate Its Vintage Watches
Vacheron Constantin is using blockchain technology to authenticate timepieces in its Les Collectionneurs collection of vintage watches. Last year, Vacheron took some control over the secondary-market sales of its high-value vintage pieces by buying them up from private collectors and auctions, restoring them and offering them for sale at special events in its boutiques. This year it doubles down on its guarantee of authenticity by offering a tamper-proof digital certification for each piece.
[Source: Forbes] ✩✩✩
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