Digital Bytes by Team Blockchain Radio; Powered By Cyber.FM

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Carbon credits and the role of blockchain - blockchain technology is poised to revolutionize carbon credit trading, potentially driving the Voluntary Carbon Credit market to a $1 trillion valuation by 2037. The technology offers transparency and efficiency, addressing the need for new trading platforms as carbon offset demand surges. Various firms are already leveraging blockchain to track energy generation and create immutable carbon credit records and this innovation aligns with the global push for sustainability, so offering promising intersections between finance, technology and environmental responsibility.

Full Article Here

What happens if the US$ is replaced as the world reserve currency? - the US dollar is gradually losing its status as the world's reserve currency which could lead to economic consequences such as reduced capital access and higher borrowing costs in the US. Investors need to consider diversifying their portfolios to mitigate risks and, whilst some jurisdictions suggest a desire to reduce reliance on the US dollar, significant hurdles remain. Resultant from this is that digital assets and payments are emerging as transformative forces in this shift, therefore potentially reshaping global finance. Without doubt, adaptability and strategic foresight are crucial as the world navigates these changes.

Full Article Here

Embedded finance: the products taking centre stage - “embedded finance” is the integration of financial products into non-financial businesses, fuelled by advancing technology. It includes offerings such as buy- now-pay-later and revenue-based lending. And this trend is expected to surpass $7 trillion by 2026. The concept aims to provide seamless financial solutions and is extending beyond retail; considerations include regulatory compliance, product terms and integration with innovative technologies.

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Celebrity endorsement of cryptocurrencies and NFTs - celebrity endorsements significantly boost the value and popularity of NFTs and cryptocurrencies, creating exclusivity and demand. These endorsements enhance visibility, foster emotional connections and drive NFT prices higher. Whilst celebrity influence will likely grow in the NFT space, intrinsic creative value and practicality could become more influential factors. Careful consideration is vital due to the evolving and volatile NFT landscape. Celebrity endorsements offer both opportunities and challenges, and so demand strategic decision-making in the dynamic world of digital assets.

Full Article Here

The end of US$: what comes next? - the potential decline of the US dollar as the world's reserve currency is a complex global shift with far-reaching implications. Historically, reserve currencies have finite lifespans, and the dollar's dominance, nearing a century, may be challenged. This shift would impact economies, markets and geopolitics worldwide with challenges including currency depreciation, higher borrowing costs, trade complexities and financial market volatility. Yet, it also opens doors for digital currencies and financial innovation. Navigating this change requires prudent strategies that balance risk and opportunity, aiming for a more adaptable and inclusive global financial system.

Full Article Here

How maturing blockchains can speed-up settlement and improve collateral management - do smart legal contracts and tokenisation offer a solution to faster settlements and automated collateral management? This article claims that an integrated trading lifecycle workflow can move the industry closer to T+0 and unlock capital to create new value in the derivatives market.

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

The evolution of money and emergence of digital assets - a look at the historical phases of currency, the legal implications of tokenization and the rise of cryptocurrencies, so exploring the evolution of money from bartering to digital assets. The article emphasizes the need for a legal framework for digital assets, highlights institutional interest in cryptocurrencies and examines the evolving financial infrastructure. It also hints at the follow-up to currency and the impact of digital assets on payment systems and traditional financial institutions.

Full Article Here

FSB crypto proposals - the Financial Stability Board (FSB), initially the Financial Stability Forum (FSF), was formed by the G20 leaders in 1999 for international financial collaboration. Evolving into the FSB in 2008, it aimed to enhance stability by uniting authorities, institutions and standard setters. It also addressed emerging financial systems such as cryptocurrencies, releasing recommendations for global stablecoin (GSC) regulation; the guidelines encompass diverse aspects, from accountability to cross-border cooperation. Questions arise about the FSB's influence, intentions and industry impact, given its associations and the evolving crypto landscape.

Full Article Here

Blockchains transformative role in automotive innovation - blockchain technology is revolutionising the automotive industry with enhanced data security, privacy and connectivity. Minima's lightweight Proof of Work blockchain protocol enables secure real-time communication between vehicles and infrastructure, predictive maintenance and tokenisation of EV charging. This innovation has garnered interest from vehicle and wallbox manufacturers, although regulatory obstacles could arise.

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Does Coinbase’s new base blockchain make it an infrastructure provider? - Coinbase's Layer-2 network - Base - is an Ethereum blockchain for innovation. Developed with Optimism, it tackles issues experienced by Ethereum by speeding up transactions, lowering fees and maintaining security. Aave, Uniswap and OpenSea are all integrating with Base and even Coca-Cola is using Base for NFTs. This trend shows Base's broad potential beyond finance and positions Coinbase as an infrastructure provider. Base's impact is just starting, promising innovation and adoption in the blockchain realm.

Full Article Here

Crypto theft in the first half of 2023 - in the first six months of 2023, around $700 million in assets were stolen through scams and hacks, with DeFi protocols being a major target. Whilst this amount is lower compared to previous years, challenges such as ransomware attacks persist. However, in spite of this stolen funds were returned more frequently this year and the revenue from digital asset scams declined, being attributed to improved security practices, stricter regulations and law enforcement actions. Nevertheless, progress, caution and improved awareness are all still crucial in safeguarding crypto assets as the industry continues to evolve.

Full Article Here

The characteristics of the ideal stablecoin - the ideal stablecoin should be pegged to a clear value, audited for asset verification, should utilise smart contracts for real-time transparency, share income with holders, ensure transparency and traceability, offer privacy controls, provide insurance and be user-friendly. Achieving these attributes could lead to widespread adoption of stablecoins as secure alternatives to cash and traditional banking systems, potentially serving as a steppingstone towards the eventual issuance of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Asset tokenisation - DeFi's accessibility, transparency and security offers the promise to transform the financial sector and the way in which we trade assets. It could democratise financial services, especially in areas with few or unreliable financial institutions whilst making global transactions faster and more efficient. The worldwide tokenisation industry is predicted to grow to potentially $68trillion by 2030 as institutions complete their proof of works and scale their digitisation programs.

Full Article Here

Liquidity pools and the DeFi ecosystem - liquidity pools on decentralised exchanges are digital asset collections enabling automated trading on decentralised exchanges. Users trade directly using smart contracts and liquidity pools help make trading smoother, adjusting prices automatically based on the volume of buyers and sellers. Liquidity pools offer other advantages such as improving financial inclusion, can generate a passive income. The future of DeFi and liquidity pools is promising but security, scalability and regulation do need to be addressed.

Full Article Here

Has the Law Commission got it wrong regarding a ‘new, third type of property asset’? Dr Stephen Castell responds to the Law Commission's final report on digital assets, contending that the Commission has erred by proposing a new legal status for digital and crypto assets that is unnecessary and scientifically incorrect. He argues that the Commission's attempt to distinguish between different sets of algorithmic data as a new category of property is a technical fallacy and that existing Common Law can address any legal concerns. Castell warns that the proposed new property status could lead to miscarriages of justice akin to past instances such as PO Horizon, and highlights the Commission's limited understanding of technical nuances in law making.

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Blockchain analytics: insight into blockchains - analytics on blockchain transactions are essential for those businesses handling digital assets whether the assets are cryptos or real-world assets. Analytics help financial institutions safeguard their transactions, reduce financial crime risk and ensure compliance whilst offering insights for those buying and selling digital assets. Blockchain transaction analytics offer a powerful tool to handle large volumes of digitised data in a very efficient manner.

Full Article Here

Tokenised real world assets - imagine aspiring to own a US$190 million Marilyn Monroe painting, a 1963 Andy Warhol painting titled Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster) bought for US$105 million, or having to pay a lesser US$850,000 for a print of Queen Elizabeth. How many art lovers could afford this? But, what if you could buy shares of an artwork? What if you could buy fractions of a publicly-traded company, debt instrument, classic car or commodity? That is the core principle behind tokenisation of real-world assets.

Full Article Here

Hong Kong is central to China’s capital markets ecosystem, but is a digital currency? - Hong Kong had a miserable isolating lockdown which exacerbated the perception of its decline as a financial centre, after Beijing had been asserting its political authority and boosting alternatives in mainland China. Beijing has changed its mind, now seeing Hong Kong as a useful asset at a difficult economic time especially in its one-country two-systems format - for finance at least. Hong Kong is also due for a key role in the digital assets ecosystem and holds an intriguing position in the mBridge wholesale CBDC project. Bifurcation of the global system amid geopolitical tensions may increase Hong Kong’s importance while it sits on both halves, for now. Might digital finance and the logic of CBDCs eventually bring that to an end?

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

DeFi and privacy - balancing transparency and data protection - DeFi, which stands for decentralised finance, is growing fast and, according to Defillama, as of June 2023 it has a total locked value of $41.4 billion. DeFi offers a range of traditional financial services, such as interest-bearing accounts, loans, borrowing and prediction markets, in an alternative, decentralised way. For DeFi to garner greater institutional support it will likely be required to comply with AML/KYC checks, such checks on the face of it are an anathema to a decentralised way of doing business.

Full Article Here

Tokenised deposits - Bank for International Settlements (BIS) published paper in April 2023, the comparing stablecoins to the unstable era of privately issued bank notes before the creation of the United States Federal Reserve. The BIS highlighted the stability of tokenised deposits, arguing that tokenised deposits as a form of payment supported the ‘singleness’ of money, making it interchangeable in all forms. Financial markets and regulators need to balance the need for stability and keep the current status quo, versus embracing innovation which offers the allure of lower costs, less risk and faster payments. The dilemma is set to continue but it seems that, in some shape or form, digital currencies will become increasingly available and so offer an alternative way to make payments.

Full Article Here

NFTs: beyond art - non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have hugely impacted the art world. Even though some digital art collections are starting to gain traction in the mainstream art world, most NFTs are still a very obscure niche, and most mainstream media does not ‘get’ their cultural value. However, these digital certificates offer many possibilities in a wide variety of other industries, recording data that enables greater transparency and efficiency for a wide variety of use cases.

Full Article Here

The Law Commission’s “third category” welcomed but look to the future - as the Law Commission moves from consultation to detailed proposals on the legal treatment of digital assets, the focus switches to the lawmakers and regulators. Let us hope that political expediency does not take over and we see laws that reflect a typically well-informed, insightful and forward thinking proposal…

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

AI and blockchain in audit and accounting - AI and blockchain technology are transforming accounting and auditing, offering new tools to enable automation, data analysis, fraud detection and predictive insights as well as creating a transparent, tamper-proof record for secure transactions and audits. By harnessing the power of AI and blockchain, the accounting and auditing fields will be able to evolve to meet the demands of the digital age, so providing additional insight and confidence in financial reporting and decision-making in a more time effective manner.

Full Article Here

Regulations and differences of various digital currencies - financial stability, consumer safety and compliance with current laws depend on regulatory frameworks, which themselves play an increasingly important role as digital currencies grow in popularity. This article looks at the rules governing digital currencies and emphasises the key distinctions amongst cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, CBDCs, e-money, virtual currencies and in-game cash.

Full Article Here

AI: how helpful is it really? - using AI to help decide or even give comfort as to the appropriateness of any investment (including Bitcoin) has to be treated with care. There has been considerable interest in AI with some claiming the technology will lead to an improvement in productivity, but potentially numerous jobs are being impacted and people being made redundant.

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Can we expect an NFT renaissance? - NFTs grabbed the headlines when pictures of monkeys sold for millions and even the Uffizi Gallery sold a digital copy of a Michael Angelo masterpiece for $170,000. In essence, NFT’s are no more than a digital certificate used to represent ownership. Or are they? As we gain legal clarity on the rights and obligations attached to digital assets, will we see NFTs being used more widely in different industries across the world?

Full Article Here

DeFi and interoperability - interoperability is a key part of the DeFi ecosystem that has the potential to greatly improve usefulness, accessibility and the total value proposition. DeFi is set to become a more connected, efficient and flexible banking system with greater interoperability.

Full Article Here

MiCA offers clarity on tokenisation but still more is required - the use of blockchain technology, coupled with other technologies such as AI, IoT, big data, machine learning, etc, offers the promise of improved efficiency, lower costs, automation and far greater levels of transparency. But whilst MiCA offers some clarity for crypto markets in the EU, clearly more regulatory guidance is required to further encourage the expansion of greater tokenisation.

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

The future of interoperable blockchains - blockchain technology has revolutionised various industries by providing secure, transparent and decentralised solutions. However, the proliferation of multiple blockchains has created a challenge in achieving seamless collaboration and interoperability. This article explores the future of interoperable blockchain, questions the future of blockchain and highlights players in the space - and how they do what they do.

Full Article Here

Do I need the roller coaster of emotions of cryptocurrencies? - equity markets are at an all-time high, yet interest rates keep rising meaning something has to break. Investing in cryptos is not for the faint-hearted, which is why many regulators around the world have been slow to embrace them for fear that cryptocurrencies are akin to gambling. If you invest, you must be prepared for volatility i.e., for the price to zig and zag, up and down. But then again, this is true for many investments and the key to any successful portfolio is to ensure that you have a spread across different types of assets.

Full Article Here

Equity risk factors and crypto asset returns - with the rising price and public awareness of Bitcoin, investors have been drawn to crypto asset markets by the promise of significant returns compared to those paltry yields often on offer from cash, bonds and other traditional asset classes. The hyperbolic growth in cryptos’ value has led investors and academics to examine more carefully the interplay between risks and returns and how cryptocurrencies interact with more traditional investment strategies. 

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Lessons learnt from the collapse of SVB -  In a flurry of events precipitating from several months of financial hassles, Silicon Valley Bank, the 39-year-old economic powerhouse headquartered in California, was shut down by state and federal banking regulators. The bank's parent company, SVB Financial Group, filed for bankruptcy only a week after the shutdown, with its representatives forced to sell its portfolio of treasuries and securities at a $1.8 billion loss. This came at the heel of a significant recession in the US, making Silicon Valley Bank the most significant bank failure since Washington Mutual's closure in the financial crisis of 2008.

Full Article Here

Shareable links for cryptocurrencies - many people who start to interact with cryptocurrencies find that, initially, the user experience is not easy since there is a copious amount of jargon to learn  - notwithstanding the joys of passwords and memorable words in case you lose the keys to your wallet. Shareable Links make the transfer of cryptos from one wallet to another much easier and whilst this feature is currently exclusive to Bitcoin.com wallets, there is no reason that if a blockchain is fast and cheap then other blockchains will also be able to offer Shareable Links too.

Full Article Here

Policy drivers for a retail CBDC - as a digital form of central bank-issued fiat currency, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) have seen an explosive growth in interest over the past four years with each jurisdiction having its own unique blend of policy drivers and motivations. This article explores a few of the key policy drivers for the introduction of a retail CBDC (in the UK, specifically), which, when extrapolated more broadly, can also apply generally to other jurisdictions seeking similar policy outcomes.

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Blockchains and privacy - blockchains are used to record transactions, accounts and metadata. This data is open both to the public and active participants in a permissionless context so as to build trust. Yet other methods can make blockchain transactions and transaction history more private and reduce trust. Blockchain technology offers a new set of tools to combat data breaches, privacy and security threats, but there are still some challenges to address before we actually see a wider scale adoption of blockchains.

Full Article Here

Digital nomadism: is AI taking over? - since the advent of the gig economy, in particular its explosion during and post-COVID-19, the disruptive concept of the digital nomad has become more commonplace in today's culture. A 2023 report shows that the global gig economy generates $204 billion in revenue, with projections estimating it will grow annually by 17%. However, another disruptive revolution appears to threaten the foundations of the gig economy - AI. Whilst the exact outcomes of the AI revolution may be difficult to define, it is essential to determine how AI will affect this critical subsection of workers in the gig economy.

Full Article Here

Law Commission Final Report on digital assets - the Law Commission’s Final Report on digital assets concludes that the common law of England and Wales is ideally suited to accommodate them. The report provides detailed analysis of why this is the case, as well as suggesting narrow and targeted statutory reform to confirm the existence of a new category of property and to clarify the status of such assets for the purposes of taking collateral. The report also recommends that the UK government creates a specialist body made up of technical, commercial and legal experts in order to provide guidance on the way in which the relevant technology is evolving and the implications this will have for the application of legal principles. 

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Is the Electronic Trade Documents Bill set to give added impetus for digital currencies? - the UK government is set to introduce new legislation which could impact global trade. Given that 80% of world trade is based on English law, this could have a huge impact on the efficiency of international trade by unlocking $billions of savings and boosting global trade by up to $40billion. As we see the global trade documentation being digitised, it will become easier to deploy smart contracts and so allow the automation of taxes and duties and transport invoices being settled as goods arrive and move between various entities. This itself will be possible by smart contracts using digital currencies to settle global payments faster, cheaper and potentially in a lower-risk manner.

Full Article Here

Banks are facing more competition than ever before - traditional banks, with their outdated IT infrastructure and systems are facing competition, and the highly lucrative markets they have monopolised for years are now being targeted by newer nimbler banks, FinTech firms and even new ways of making payments. What all the competition has in common is that it is digital and will increasingly be using technologies such as AI, Big data, IoT, blockchain, machine learning as opposed to quill pens, ledgers, cheque books and faxes.

Full Article Here

Navigating the AML and KYC regulatory landscape in offshore locations: key requirements and best practices - the importance of effective KYC and AML processes, procedures and staff to monitor such activity is of paramount importance for regulated firms. As more jurisdictions embrace cryptocurrencies those firms looking to offer crypto products and services will need to follow existing best practices or risk fines and possible bans.

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Where the wealthy invest and why the rest may follow them - the wealthy have typically had preferential access to investments that had not been the preserve of other investors. Whilst we have seen a huge increase in assets being managed via pension and mutual funds, REITs, ETFs and other collective investment schemes, the asset management industry is undergoing a massive transformation. This will potentially result in smaller investors being able to gain exposure to a cornucopia of assets that only the wealthily had been able to benefit from previously.

Full Article Here

Blockchain applications and innovations in the field of cybersecurity - despite massive investments into data protection from online security threats, cyber-attacks have not relented in their frequency and aggressiveness. In 2022, cyber-attacks cost companies $6 trillion, with about 2,200 cyber-attacks occurring daily. Companies have poured billions of dollars into securing their networks and data infrastructure, but safety is not yet guaranteed. Corporations and governments are beginning to move away from centralised trust to a form of data protection that is less vulnerable at a single point of failure - hence a growing interest in the use of blockchains and DLT.

Full Article Here

Incumbents embrace tokenisation and alliances take shape - the growing buy-in of tokenization in the financial industry has encouraged the formation of strategic partnerships. We examine some of the  highlights and dynamics amongst participants in three networks: Fnality, the newly formed Canton Network, and the DTCC`s Project Ion.

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

The challenges of creating Web 3.0 - whilst multiple tech firms keep pushing for Web 3.0, it does still need additional work and structure in order to be fully operational. Excluding the friction from existing structures, players are still experimenting with ideas, innovation and integration for those primary structures that constitute Web 3.0. However, although implementing this next-generation internet is not a straightforward process, the potential reward could be substantial and change the way we interact and how much of business is transacted.

Full Article Here

FTX update May 2023 - FTX’s collapse and bankruptcy, the legal proceedings against its top executives, the asset recovery efforts, the current state of business operations, stakeholder impact, international issues, and lessons learned have kept an army of regulators, journalists, lawyers and accountants busy. These events undoubtedly raise questions about what led to the collapse, the implications of the repercussions and lessons learnt for other companies, and the cryptocurrency sector at large.

Full Article Here

AI’s perspective on digital assets and blockchain technology - James Tylee, veteran Wall Street algorithmic programmer and general ‘geek’ (having set up the world’s first radio station 15 years ago that pays listeners crypto for simply listening), recently turned his hand to interviewing ChatGPT and gleaned its perspective of digital assets and blockchains. The results, whilst not perfect, offer much insight - especially for the uninitiated.

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

How can a small business get onto the metaverse? - whilst it may sound like an open-world game on steroids, the metaverse has attracted attention from a number of the largest businesses across the globe, with some having poured millions into obtaining real estate in the metaverse. Adidas purchased a plot of land in The Sandbox with plans to fill it with branded content and merchandise, and PwC's Hong Kong branch, not wanting to miss out on the potential benefits, also purchased virtual land in The Sandbox in 2022. Furthermore, companies such as Meta and Microsoft have developed entire virtual workplaces (Microsoft's Mesh and Meta's Horizon), albeit relatively simple constructs.

Full Article Here

Why is digital cash ‘on its way’? - arguably, the 2008 banking crisis spawned a desire to have an alternative form of cash/payments as taxpayers questioned why they were being forced to bail out the bankers. Trust in bankers took another hit with the LIBOR revelation and bankers being fined $9billion in 2015.  As society becomes ever more digitised, with the desire also to access services 24/7, it seem inevitable that cash is to be offered in a digital format. But this then raises concerns as to a potential loss of privacy…..

Full Article Here

Looking after your digital assets - interested in digital assets, but don't know where to start? Here we take a look at what digital wallets are, the difference between custodial and non-custodial wallets, and some tips on how to start.

Full Article Here

Introducing the Commissioner for digital money: safeguarding privacy and rights in the age of programmable money - The global race to develop Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and Stablecoins has quietly created unprecedented challenges across the world. The intrinsic programmability of this money and the oceans of new and valuable centralised data produced daily create chronic as well as acute governance challenges in each and every jurisdiction. A gnawing temptation to governments and other agencies to abuse these new powers. Both at implementation and then again over the longer term.
Do we therefore need a Commissioner for Digital Money, similar to the UK’s ICO, for the digital pound and Sterling based stablecoins?

Full Article Here

The economic impact of adopting cryptocurrency as an alternative for goods and services - for all the hype surrounding both Bitcoin and crypto, they continue to remain largely unused as a means of exchange. More than $1 million is spent daily in the US on those goods and services using Bitcoin. However, this is a pittance compared to the annual US consumer expenditure of over $15 trillion. For Bitcoin to become a suitable alternative for buying goods and services, it must meet certain criteria.

Full Article Here

Metaverse and healthcare - experts in the healthcare business believe that the metaverse has the potential to provide significant value, although this is still an emerging trend. Medical software solutions, which allow users to engage with digital material in various ways (for instance, by managing data or exchanging medical pictures), now dominate the healthcare technology landscape. The metaverse’s highly immersive nature offers new ways for physicians to be trained and patients and carers to understand more about procedure and care plans before, during and after treatment.

Full Article Here

Dressed in disguise: how accounting rules hide the flaws of the fractional reserve banking system - this article looks at the controversial topic of flawed accounting rules that are designed to hide the truth about the health and solvency of the banking system. The level of accountancy inconsistencies in many global banks would appear to be largely ignored. Surely there is a need for greater transparency for the sake of shareholders and depositors as well as for regulators to maintain confidence in financial markets before it becomes too late?

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Gold: you can hold bullion or digital gold - gold has always been seen as a store of value during troubled times and in the last year central bankers have accumulated over 1,100 tons of gold. However, as well as holding physical bullion, it is possible to buy gold in a digitised format ( i.e. tokens pegged/backed by gold, or even digital gold), commonly referred to as Bitcoin.

Full Article Here

Why is tokenisation both relevant and important for the EU? - there continues to be much confusion around digitalisation of real-world assets (sometimes referred to as tokens) and cryptocurrencies. Whilst cryptos and tokens both use blockchains and distributed ledger technology, major corporations, central bankers and governments are increasingly beginning to realise the transformative potential that tokenisation offers their customers and citizens.

Full Article Here

The engine behind tokenised securities: standard ERC3643 - this article delves into standard ERC3643’s history and development, offering insight into the technical and conceptual breakthroughs that have made it the smart contract standard for permissioned tokens. It is a versatile protocol, suitable for digital assets which require controls on permissionless networks. Its built-in, privacy-preserved identity system makes it the standard for tokenised securities and real-world assets since it enforces compliance, which it does by allowing issuers to identify owners of digital securities on the blockchain without compromising the privacy of investors.

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Will cryptos sink or swim? - despite all the doom and gloom that 2022 may have suggested, in 2023 cryptocurrency is showing a little more nuance and doggedness than predicted. With several forecasts from cryptocurrency analysts (some of which contradict) it is difficult to say if cryptos will, indeed, sink or swim. If we are to see traditional asset classes continue to struggle, will investors buy cryptocurrencies as the total number of people globally exposed to cryptos certainly continues to rise?

Full Article Here

Why do we need stablecoins, CBDCs or bank deposit tokens? - there has been considerable interest in stablecoins and many central banks are currently studying the potential of issuing CBDCs. In addition, there is the spectre of a new form of digital cash payment - ‘bank deposit tokens’. The demand for these digital cash entities is likely to expand as we see growing interest in the digitisation of real assets.

Full Article Here

Cryptoassets and judicial oversight of regulatory decisions - as regulation of cryptoasset activities becomes more extensive, judicial oversight of regulatory decisions becomes more important and the Financial Services and Markets Bill is expected to considerably expand regulatory rules relating to crypto assets. In light of this, it is of interest to examine developments that have arisen from judicial oversight of cryptoasset regulation so far.

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

Blockchain and law enforcement - the use of blockchain technology is potentially a double-edged sword in that it has enabled the issuance of what some regulators cite as illegal securities. A case in point is the US- quoted firm, Coinbase, which has been issued a notice by the SEC for potential breaking of American securities law. Blockchain technology offers a range of applications to help law enforcement agencies to track and trace payments, bring greater transparency and enabling data to be held in a decentralised and more secure manner, although it does also raise important questions about privacy, security and civil liberties. As with any technology, it is important to carefully consider the potential benefits and risks before implementing it in law enforcement contexts.

Full Article Here

Metaverse and digital marketing - the way in which organisations promote and market their goods and services is quickly changing as our lives become ever more digital. The metaverse is just another challenge for digital marketers who, themselves, will need to evolve and adapt to embrace this virtual world. Arguably, the four marketing P’s - product, price, promotion and place - are all being impacted; but have your marketing colleagues kept pace?

Full Article Here

Restoring trust in digital assets - 2022 was a rocky year for the digital asset market and so how can trust be restored? Is it a question of waiting for more regulation, or should the industry heal itself? In a new Financial Markets Insights report on Restoring Trust in Digital Assets, The Realization Group interviewed 14 industry CEOs and leaders to find out their views on what to expect next. What caused the crisis and how has the industry responded so far? What myths and misunderstandings are being perpetuated by the media? What new industry standards are needed? They concluded that we can look to both the past and  future as we develop more workable business models, rules of engagement and regulatory regimes to help the industry recover and thrive.  

Full Article Here

Full article here

The hybrid future for workers: how digital asset management complements the new work environment - any employee's physical/geographical position in the workplace has no bearing on their ability to conduct work. Employees can still maintain their workload even if they are not physically in the office; and being in the office does not necessarily make them more productive. Since hybrid working has a permanent and transformative effect on organisations, now is the time for businesses to look at how their teams will work in the long run and which technologies will continue to support and maintain productivity. Digital asset management (DAM) systems can help solve the many of the challenges when you work in a ‘hybrid’ way and, furthermore, there is a growing pool of highly skilled digital nomads who aspire to work remotely. So, how do you attract this talent to your company?

Full article here

Metaverse and NFTs - non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are being used by a wide range of industries and organisations. Whilst NFTs may be put to various uses, one of the most common is representing objects in a metaverse or virtual environment. As we begin to understand and unlock the potential of the metaverse (a sector that could be worth $13trillion by 2030), we are seeing more organisations developing a wide variety of ways to entice consumers into using NFTs and the metaverse.

Full article here

Cryptocurrency: the antidote to counterparty risk - the recent high-profile failure of multiple US banks has highlighted counterparty risk as a major concern for businesses depositors. This article looks at how cryptocurrencies can offer an alternative for businesses when it comes to treasury management because of their decentralised structure that reduces counterparty risk and also that it offers faster transaction processing, lower transaction fees and greater transparency. However, businesses still need to weigh up the risks and benefits of using cryptocurrencies as part of their treasury management strategy and consider how insurance can help offset some of that risk.

Full article here

Full Article Here

Full Article Here

The rise of the inflation-resistant new model asset-based economy: central bank digital assets vs central bank digital currencies - have you ever considered inflation-resistant money? In an age of bank runs, are you nervous of your government plans for central bank digital currencies (CBDC) and the risk of expiring money? Or even how your social credit score might restrict your access to your own savings? This article highlights the real risks of CBDCs in the context of our times and economic history, exploring the alternative of a commercial-off-the-shelf offering of CBDAs (central bank digital assets) to all central banks, global financial institutions and ‘anyone with a mobile phone’ who has a desire to escape inflation and an economic cycle of bank runs.

Full Article Here

Treasury consultation underlines UK ambition to onshore crypto industry - the UK Treasury's proposals are making a concerted effort to bring crypto asset activities onshore, at least to the extent that firms wish to market directly to UK customers. The UK also remains committed to driving the international regulatory agenda by shaping a baseline of global regulatory standards to mitigate regulatory arbitrage opportunities and ensure that customers are not driven to unregulated platforms. Whether the UK will establish itself as a global crypto hub will ultimately depend on the details of the crypto legislation, but keeping a strong international dimension will help.

Full Article Here

Full Article Here