In the war against the novel coronavirus, cryptocurrencies are emerging as a much-needed tool for charity and fundraising projects. Already there are a number of large nonprofits accepting Bitcoin donations. Plus, some blockchain and crypto firms are contributing medical supplies to hospitals in an attempt to curb the virus, while others are setting up fundraisers and charities that are aimed at helping its victims. As a number of nonprofits continue to accept cryptocurrency donations, they are starting to realize that crypto transactions significantly reduce costs in terms of fees. Here are a number of charities and fundraisers that accept donations …

Bitcoin.com executive chairman Roger Ver has brushed aside assertions that his website laid off 50% of its workforce, labeling the claims “more Bcash FUD.” Several cryptocurrency news outlets reported the layoff news after a post appeared on Candor, a site that purports to list jobs lost in response to the coronavirus. Problems with Candor’s methods However, Candor’s list is entirely user-generated, meaning anyone can list job layoff statistics from companies they have nothing to do with. Judging by Ver’s recent posts on the r/btc subreddit (which he also moderates), that appears to have been the case regarding Bitcoin.com. When asked …

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic accelerates central bank digital currency (CBDC) developments, according to Deutsche Bank macro strategist Marion Laboure. In a tweet from April 3, Deutsche Bank cites Laboure’s claim that the risk of cash spreading the coronavirus further will motivate authorities to consider digital alternatives. CBDCs: a necessary response to the coronavirus As Cointelegraph reported in mid-February, China started a quarantine of its used banknotes in an attempt to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Research published in 2008 showed that the influenza virus was able to survive on banknotes up to 17 days. Laboure claims that governments increasingly …

London Stock Exchange-listed mining firm Argo Blockchain has broken its own records for Bitcoin (BTC) mining, seemingly escaping the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. An operational update published by Argo on April 6, revealed that the firm had mined 333.8 Bitcoin in March, as compared to 337.5 Bitcoin in February. Cumulatively, the amount of Bitcoin mined during the first three months of 2020 amounted to 918 Bitcoin — a record for the firm, and more than double what it had mined during the last three months in 2019. Speaking to Cointelegraph, Argo Blockchain CEO Peter Wall explained that: “Compared …

As the COVID-19 pandemic brings major economies to their heel under lockdown, there is mounting concern that the global trade and supply chain system could buckle within weeks. Collapsed supply and demand, transport frictions, labor shortages and, in some cases, early signs of protectionism, are making it increasingly tough for suppliers to keep goods and services flowing across global value chains. While the depth of the crisis may be unprecedented, the authors of an April 6 report for the World Economic Forum argue that blockchain technology is key to mitigating the impact of such disruptions. Ziyang Fan, head of digital …

Genobank, a blockchain project seeking to offer consumers ownership and control over their DNA data, is preparing to launch an app on EOS-based blockchain platform Telos to assist people in accessing anonymous coronavirus testing. According to a recent announcement from the Telos Foundation, the app will also allow users to share that information with healthcare organizations. The open-source app, Agerona, stores the test data on the Telos blockchain, with Genobank to introduce a token that enables information sharing. The app is expected to launch this month. Privacy concerns could hinder health efforts Some authorities have expressed concern that undocumented workers …

A Canada-based company is turning to blockchain technology in their efforts to fight the coronavirus pandemic in Latin America. Emerge, a blockchain startup based in Toronto, is launching a public safety system app called Civitas to assist local authorities in many nations. According to a company blog post, the app was designed “to improve safety and cut store wait times by reducing gatherings in tight spaces, reducing the probability of contagion.” The software program could associate locals’ government ID numbers with unique blockchain records, allowing authorities to determine if they qualify for permits to leave their homes. If citizens report …

Waves has launched a macabre campaign to purportedly raise money for COVID-19 relief. The platform has created a tokenized parimutuel betting pool where users can speculate on whether the global number of confirmed coronavirus cases has risen or fallen within a given week. On April 3, Waves announced the ‘charity campaign,’ ostensibly in support of “organizations and funds in need of financial aid in fighting the global COVID-19 pandemic.” Waves launches tokenized COVID-19 prediction market Waves.Exchange users can now purchase ‘COVID-DWN’ or ‘COVID-UP’ tokens to speculate on whether the number of globally confirmed coronavirus cases increases or decreases within a …

While many crypto holders around the world are practicing self-quarantine and other measures to limit social contact, some are turning to the adult industry for comfort. Speaking to Cointelegraph, cryptocurrency payment processor CoinGate reported an increase in purchases from adult stores in March over activity in February. Sites like ManyVids had a 17% increase in their cart sizes. Other adult stores reported a 36% increase in turnover. Most of these merchants are based in Europe, where measures are in place to limit people from leaving their homes and many retail businesses are closed. However, crypto shoppers are making their purchases …

Dark web marketplace, Monopoly Market, has taken a stand against scammers claiming to sell cures and treatments for COVID-19 on its platform. On other darknet platforms, listings are rife with coronavirus keywords — with vendors selling everything from narcotic cocktails marketed as ‘coronavirus vaccines,’ to coronavirus-infected blood and saliva. Monopoly Market to ban vendors using coronavirus as ‘marketing tool’ On April 2, dark web journalist, Eileen Ormsby, tweeted a screenshot posted by Monopoly Market’s operator that threatened permanent bans against vendors “caught flogging goods as a ‘cure’ to Coronavirus.” “We have class here,” the post states.“You do not, under any …

Coming every Sunday, Hodler’s Digest will help you track every single important news story that happened this week. The best (and worst) quotes, adoption and regulation highlights, leading coins, predictions and much more — a week on Cointelegraph in one link. Top Stories This Week Bitcoin flips bullish — but here’s why BTC price may still hit $3,900 BTC has gained more than 10% in the past week, fueling hope that there’s a bullish future ahead for the world’s biggest cryptocurrency. Unfortunately, it’s never that simple. There was a valiant effort to smash through the critical resistance level of $7,200 …

Many investors hold Bitcoin (BTC) as a hedge against the global financial system. However, as the numbers show, Bitcoin has not been spared from the recent COVID-19 financial crisis. This article will analyze the movement of global financial markets and its correlation with Bitcoin during the COVID-19 crisis. We’ll consider the following sources as price measures for the following. Bitcoin’s price from CoinMarketCap. Bond prices from Vanguard Total Bond Market Index. Stock prices from the S&P 500. Gold from the price of gold futures traded on COMEX. Real Estate from the Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index. Oil as the …