What are bitcoin forks and how do they work?
With the increased interest in bitcoin, it’s important to understand the technology behind this cryptocurrency and the factors that can influence its price. Discover everything you need to know about bitcoin forks, including the difference between soft and hard forks and what they mean for traders. Bitcoin forks explained The term ‘bitcoin fork’ can be used to describe two types of events. The first is a change to its underlying software – a ‘software fork’. The second is a divergence in the cryptocurrency’s blockchain – a ‘blockchain fork’. The reason each of these events is called a ‘fork’ is because they present two or more potential routes for bitcoin to […]
Peppermint signs MOU with Blockchain platform
Peppermint Innovation Limited (ASX: PIL) announced it has executed a non binding Memorandum of Understanding with Vleppo to explore the delivery of a Blockchain based platform to empower banked and unbanked individuals to source loans secured by digital assets. Peppermint previously provided guidance to the market in its announcement dated 27th November 2017 that it was watching the development of Blockchain capabilities and plans. This MoU is in alignment with this announcement and affirms PIL’s commitment to exploring partnerships with leading edge technology companies operating in the Blockchain space. Peppermint’s Managing Director and CEO Chris Kain said: “As a progressive Fintech company, we are always assessing advances made within the […]
CBA, Data61 claim success on NDIS payments blockchain trial
The use of highly targeted and controlled smart payments across Australia’s health and welfare sector has inched a step closer. Data61 and the Commonwealth Bank claim to have successfully trialled an app that could make blockchain-based programmable money a reality for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) payments. The pair partnered last month to bring the prototype app to NDIS participants and service providers as a test case for the potential use of ‘smart money’ using blockchain technology. ‘Smart money’ allows for conditions to be attached to payments, making the NDIS’ use of highly personalised participant payment plans ripe for the first case study of the proof of concept. The prototype app […]
Blockchain is giving away $125 million worth of digital currency
Blockchain, one of the most popular virtual crypto wallet companies in the world, is giving away $125 million worth of Stellar. The giveaway is set to be the largest of its kind. Referred to as an airdrop in crypto parlance, the program will specifically benefit 30 million Blockchain users spanning over 140 countries. They will each receive $25 worth of Stellar Lumens coins. According to the company’s statement, the program will contribute to the adaptation and decentralization of new crypto networks by encouraging users to embrace a wider variety of digital native tokens without having to buy or mine cryptocurrencies. To qualify, candidates must have a Blockchain wallet. The crypto […]
The business case for blockchain is often bigger than one organisation, says ASX CIO
Developing a business case for blockchain is inherently more challenging than other technology projects, because the cumulative value of the distributed network technology is often broader than one individual organisation. That’s the view of Dan Chesterman, CIO of the ASX, which is currently replacing its aging Clearing House Electronic Subregister System (CHESS) with a blockchain solution. During a Q&A session at Gartner Symposium on the Gold Coast yesterday, David Furlonger, distinguished VP Analyst Gartner, cited a lack of a viable business case as a key challenge for advancing blockchain proofs of concept to “full blown deployment and development”. Chesterman said there is a much harder piece, which involves “building the […]
JP Morgan’s Quorum blockchain opens new world of trading opportunities
A blockchain platform built by global investment bank JP Morgan is being used to “tokenise” gold bars to allow sustainable miners to earn a premium on global markets, an indication of new trading opportunities the disruptive technology will create over the coming decade. Blockchain technology, initially deployed to create bitcoin, is moving into production in major investment banks – but it’s not being used to move money. Rather, banks are using it to manage global liquidity, improve information inefficiencies and create “crypto” assets (other than currencies). JP Morgan has created an enterprise version of the Ethereum blockchain – known as Quorum – which allows for the operation of “smart contracts”, […]
Why Bitcoin is here to stay
The real game changer of Bitcoin is the underlying network of highly secure computers that support it. These computers run a new form of database called “blockchain.” Blockchain technology enables money and data to move without having to rely on a trusted middleman. It’s truly revolutionary. Already more than $3 billion a day is transacted across the Bitcoin network without the need for a central clearing authority. That has never happened before and it makes Bitcoin a unique asset. Software developers across the world are building applications designed to piggyback off this network. Over the next few years we’ll begin to see a host of new applications emerge for Bitcoin and the network […]
CBA ramps up blockchain
Commonwealth Bank is close to completing more blockchain projects, after it delivered the world’s first blockchain bond with World Bank in August. Speaking at SIBOS, Sophie Gilder who is CBA’s head of experimentation and commercialisation for blockchain, embodied AI and emerging technology said CBA has a portfolio of blockchain projects. Some of these are at very early stages where the bank is trying to determine if they are worthwhile to take forward or not. Others are at a pilot stage where the bank has been through successful proof of concept, has demonstrated the feasibility of the technology being applied to a particular problem and is taking the project to the […]
