Category: UK

  • Kraken Acquires British Derivatives Platform Crypto Facilities

    Kraken Acquires British Derivatives Platform Crypto Facilities

    Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has acquired Crypto Facilities, a British digital asset trading platform and index provider, in an undisclosed “nine-figure” deal. The acquisition means that Kraken will now be able to offer both spot and futures trading in bitcoin core, bitcoin cash, ripple, litecoin and ethereum while boosting revenue by attracting institutional customers. Also read: Cryptocurrency…

  • Pavel Durov Closes UK-Based Company Telegram Messenger LLP

    Pavel Durov Closes UK-Based Company Telegram Messenger LLP

    Russian-born entrepreneur Pavel Durov is liquidating Telegram Messenger LLP, the Britain-based company behind the popular messaging service Telegram. The same entity is registered as the messenger’s operator in the Russian Federation, where Telegram is currently banned. Also read: 5 Crypto Exchanges Have Been Licensed in Gibraltar Since Regulation Application for Voluntary Strike Off Filed in…

  • UK Crypto Ventures Raised Over $255 Million VC Funding in 2018

    UK Crypto Ventures Raised Over $255 Million VC Funding in 2018

    Brexit and the sharp downturn in the cryptocurrency markets have not been able to stop the growth of the British crypto industry. End of year figures show that crypto-related companies in the United Kingdom have raised a total of over £200 million ($255.2 million) in capital venture funding during 2018. Also Read: Banking Agency Advises…

  • The Daily: Epic Founder Addresses Fortnite Crypto Rumors, Robinhood Recruiting in London

    The Daily: Epic Founder Addresses Fortnite Crypto Rumors, Robinhood Recruiting in London

    In today’s edition of The Daily we cover reports that Robinhood is working under the radar to hire staff in London for an expansion into the U.K., an auction of seized cryptocurrency in Northern Ireland, and comments from the founder of Fortnite developer Epic Games about rumored cryptocurrency partnerships. Also Read: Mckinsey: Despite Billions of…

  • 67 Cryptocurrency Companies Probed by UK Regulator

    67 Cryptocurrency Companies Probed by UK Regulator

    The U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has reportedly provided an update of its investigations of crypto companies. A total of 67 inquiries were launched, 49 of which have been closed, leaving 18 businesses currently under investigation. The UK government has reportedly said it is ready to give power to the FCA to regulate the crypto…

  • Report: Over 300 British Blockchain Companies Shut Down in 2018

    Report: Over 300 British Blockchain Companies Shut Down in 2018

    The demise of 2017’s cryptocurrency bull market, the rapid collapse of ICOs, and the fizzling out of corporate blockchain hype have made 2018 a challenging year for many startups operating in the crypto sector. A new report from the U.K. helps quantify the global slowdown. Also Read: Spot Develops New Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Portfolio App…

  • Hit by Sanctions, Iranian Students in the UK Use Bitcoin to Bypass Banks

    Hit by Sanctions, Iranian Students in the UK Use Bitcoin to Bypass Banks

    Before cryptocurrencies started to be widely used for speculation, they were first of all meant to be an unstoppable method for people to control their own money. A new example that this is still a needed use case comes from the U.K., where Iranian students have to bypass the banking system which they can no…

  • Google Trends Reveals One of the Top Questions of 2018 — ‘What Is Bitcoin?’

    Google Trends Reveals One of the Top Questions of 2018 — ‘What Is Bitcoin?’

    Google has just published its annual Year in Search query statistics for 2018 and the biggest question of last year was “What is Bitcoin?” According to Google Trends, searches for the term “Bitcoin” have declined rapidly since 2017, but web users querying its definition led internet searches last year. Also read: Indian Supreme Court Moves Crypto…

  • This London Taxi Driver Sells Cryptocurrency to Passengers

    This London Taxi Driver Sells Cryptocurrency to Passengers

    If you hail a taxi in downtown London, you could wind up paying for more than just your fare. Pseudonymous cab driver Dave Jenkins is known as the Crypto Cabbie because as he drives passengers around London he provides the ability to purchase BTC. Also read: Only Five Bitcoin Mining Devices Released in 2018 Are Profitable…

  • UK Regulators Plan “Comprehensive Response” to Illicit Crypto Use

    UK Regulators Plan “Comprehensive Response” to Illicit Crypto Use

    Christopher Woolard of the United Kingdom (UK) Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has indicated that UK regulators are planning a “comprehensive response” to the illicit adoption of crypto assets amid increased adoption among local businesses and consumers. Despite announcing increased regulatory action regarding illegal use of crypto, Woolard stated he does not view crypto assets as…