Real-time Ethereum

The CME Group will be launching a real-time Ethereum price listing from June 4th. The new information will be released on the CME Group Market Data Platform.

CME will be providing the real-time price in partnership with Crypto Facilities, a cryptocurrency trading platform based in London. CME Group is the world’s largest futures exchange, and the new service caused the price of Bitcoin to jump to $8,250.

Blockchain in the Middle East

A Middle-Eastern FinTech firm, 180 Capital, launched a blockchain-focused company called 180 Digital Assets. The company will aim to provide blockchain solutions outside of the cryptocurrency sphere.

Hadi Kabalan, a former Goldman Sachs executive, will lead the new company as CEO.

Lite years ahead

Litecoin founder Charlie Lee told Finance Magnates that he sold all of his Litecoins in order to focus on his work. He noted that public fears he would sell off all his coins and disrupt the market, combined with his feeling he had a conflict of interest, drove him to sell off his coins.

Lee also stated that Litecoin’s partnership with Litepay collapsed due to people pumping the value of the cryptocurrency in order to cash out.

The land of the free and the home of the bitcoin

eToro, a social trading and multi-asset brokerage company, announced that it would be launching cryptocurrency trading in the US. While US regulation pertaining to capital requirements has crippled the FX and CFD industries, the cryptocurrency market is still open for business.

The launch will see users able to trade ten Cryptocurrencies : Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, XRP, Dash, Bitcoin Cash, Stellar, Ethereum Classic, NEO, and EOS.

Bypassing the rules

EU-regulated brokers are already working on new products for retail traders that will be compliant with the upcoming ESMA regulation.

While the details are still up in the air, foreign exchange transactions executed via multilateral trading facilities might be exempt from the new regulation, as some already have been in France.

Xpringtime for Ripple

Ripple announced the creation of an incubator for entrepreneurs. Called Xpring (pronounced ‘Spring’) it will invest in and acquire start-up firms.

Firms wanting to get investment from the service must use Ripple’s XRP blockchain platform.

NASDAQ goes crypto

NASDAQ announced that it will be launching a crypto-exchange in June. Speaking exclusively to Finance Magnates, CEO Daniel Skowronski said NASDAQ would be able to provide three key benefits - “the brand name, the technology and the regulations.”

NASDAQ’s infrastructure, such as its matching engine, is used by over 70 exchanges around the world.