Ripple on a Run
Ripple (XRP) has nearly doubled in value this month on the back of expectations surrounding the launch of xRapid, a low-cost liquidity solution for emerging markets, and xVia, an international consumer to bank transfer system. Ripple reports having over 120 banks with confirmed partnerships, including (in varying capacities) American Express, Western Union, and the Santander Group
Austria to Issue $1.3 Billion Bond Using Ethereum
The Austrian Government is slated to use the Ethereum blockchain for tracking and notary purposes in a $1.3 billion gov. bond auction. The Austrian finance ministry accounted Austrian Bank Oesterreichische Kontrollbank (OeKB) will carry the auction. As part of this responsibility, the bank will be responsible for authenticating and storing transaction data on the Ethereum blockchain. OeKB board member Angelika Sommer-Hemetsberger noted the bank has tested several prototypes in anticipation of overseeing the issuance
Coinbase announces introduction of “Coinbase Bundles”
Largest Brazilian Brokerage announces intention to launch crypto-trading platform
Grupo XP, Brazil’s largest domestic brokerage firm, announced last week plans to launch a Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) trading platform by the end of 2018. The platform will provide BTC and ETH access to the 3 million+ investors who utilize Grupo XP for their brokerage services. CEO Guilherme Benchimol explained that while he personally is not found of the cryptocurrency revolution, his company feels required to develop crypto-related offerings as a result of growing consumer demand.