Israel and the ICO, Bitcoin Forks Again: Best of the Week

Bitcoin futures in the near future

On Monday we reported that CME Group is to launch Bitcoin futures on the 10th of December. CME is the world's largest derivatives exchange, and after the announcement Bitcoin rose to a record $8,240. [gptAdvertisement]

The new option will give Bitcoin some regulatory cover and make it more attractive to institutions.

New offer from FastMatch

On Tuesday we reported that FastMatch is opening access to key data in real time for the public, at a charge of €40 euros per month.

CEO Dmitri Galinov said: “For a small monthly fee, individuals and companies can view the latest FX rates transacted on interbank markets. This information empowers them to demand better FX rates from vendors.”

Waugh retires

Simon Waugh is retiring from CMC Markets. He has been with the firm since 2007. He will be replaced by James Richards.

Waugh said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with CMC and now that the Group has been listed for almost two years, the time is right to retire from the Group Board. I am looking forward to continuing to work with the Group at this exciting time.”

CySEC CySEC The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) is a financial regulatory authority of Cyprus. CySEC is one of the key watchdog authorities for brokerages in Europe, whose financial regulations and operations comply with the European MiFID financial harmonization law.Founded in 2001, CySEC is instrumental in providing licensing and registration for forex brokers and previously binary options providers.CySEC is responsible for a variety of different functions, which includes the supervision The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) is a financial regulatory authority of Cyprus. CySEC is one of the key watchdog authorities for brokerages in Europe, whose financial regulations and operations comply with the European MiFID financial harmonization law.Founded in 2001, CySEC is instrumental in providing licensing and registration for forex brokers and previously binary options providers.CySEC is responsible for a variety of different functions, which includes the supervision Read this Term prepares for MiFID II

CySEC has suspended its 'fast track' process. The move comes as MiFID II looms near, prompting national regulators to review their processes.

Companies that have already applied will be processed.

Israel and the ICO

On Friday we reported that the ISA is weighing up its options regarding regulation of initial coin offerings. Possibilities discussed included defining them as securities, and banning them outright.

The issue was discussed by a special ISA committee set up in August. Some say that the ISA is trying to make up for its lax response to the binary options industry.

Diamonds are forever

Bitcoin is forking, yet again. This time, the new currency will be known as Bitcoin Diamond. The Bitcoin Diamond website claims that more than twenty exchanges and five wallets will support the coin after its birth.

However, the teams behind the new coin are maintaining their anonymity, which could mean that there is something shady about the whole business... but not necessarily.

Cryptocurrency regulation overview

On Friday we published a fascinating overview of cryptocurrency legislation, country by country. As cryptocurrency and Blockchain Blockchain Blockchain comprises a digital network of blocks with a comprehensive ledger of transactions made in a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin or other altcoins.One of the signature features of blockchain is that it is maintained across more than one computer. The ledger can be public or private (permissioned). In this sense, blockchain is immune to the manipulation of data, making it not only open but verifiable. Because a blockchain is stored across a network of computers, it is very difficult to tamp Blockchain comprises a digital network of blocks with a comprehensive ledger of transactions made in a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin or other altcoins.One of the signature features of blockchain is that it is maintained across more than one computer. The ledger can be public or private (permissioned). In this sense, blockchain is immune to the manipulation of data, making it not only open but verifiable. Because a blockchain is stored across a network of computers, it is very difficult to tamp Read this Term technology grow in importance, attitudes towards them differ widely. Click here to found out which countries are friends and which are foes.