The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) has once again delayed its transition to the blockchain, due in part to uncertainty around the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic. In an announcement published on March 25, ASX said it was replanning its blockchain implementation timetable in light of the unfolding crisis, as well as because of issues that were under consideration prior to the outbreak. In June, the exchange will therefore seek user input to establish a new go-live date — which until now had been set for April 2021. Pandemic-driven volatility takes its toll As reported, the ASX has been developing …

As central banks around the world are cutting interest rates to zero and taking aggressive action against the economic recession due to the coronavirus pandemic, China’s central bank is accelerating its central bank digital currency (CBDC) plan. According to a Global Times report on March 24, China is one step closer to issuing its CBDC. The Bank of China has completed development of the basic functions of the official digital currency and is now drafting laws that will help its implementation. The Global Times also mentioned a number of Shenzhen-based private companies including Alibaba, Tencent, Huawei and China Merchants Bank …

The number of coronavirus cases worldwide is rapidly getting close to 400,000, with many industries and businesses affected around the world. The crypto market has been no exception. Bitcoin’s (BTC) price initially reacted with a 50% drop; blockchain companies began to suggest that their employees working remotely; and crypto conferences have been either canceled or postponed. While some conferences report poor attendance and mass dropouts from panelists, others have found success in a virtual format. Crypto conference organizers and speakers shared with Cointelegraph the latest insights on what is happening right now within the blockchain events industry. How did it …

While the newest version of a proposed stimulus package to respond to the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus in the United States has scrapped mention of a digital dollar, at least one senator is fighting to keep those provisions. The changed bill for economic recovery As Cointelegraph reported yesterday, March 23, a draft of the proposed economic stimulus bill was circulating that included the requirement of developing a digital dollar. The provisions further stipulated that all banks party to the Federal Reserve would need to host digital dollar wallets — all measures to expand economic inclusion. Late last night, …

Bitcoin (BTC) jumped over $100 as Wall Street opened on March 24, markets broadly gaining amid hope of the United States agreeing a $2 trillion coronavirus rescue package. Cryptocurrency market daily overview. Source: Coin360 BTC price steadies as stocks bounce Data from Coin360 and Cointelegraph Markets showed BTC/USD circling $6,700 at press time on Tuesday — up 7% on the day. Stock markets reversed Monday’s losses — the Dow Jones opened up 6.1%, while the S&P 500 was 5.3% higher. Bitcoin 1-day price chart. Source: Coin360 The week had begun with turmoil as the U.S.’s two major political parties repeatedly …

The industry’s first angel network for digital currency startups, BitAngels, is launching a series of virtual pitch events to keep investors connected during the global coronavirus pandemic. On March 25, BitAngels founder Michael Terpin said the network’s transition to a fully-online model of collaborations and events aims to keep the blockchain investment community “active and thriving” through uncertain times. (Locked)down but not out While the lockdown across many of the world’s major economies may be unprecedented, Terpin wrote that the model, in some sense, returns the network to “its roots as a virtual network founded in 2013.” Before the pandemic …

Two alleged crypto Ponzi scheme operators have requested that a New Jersey federal court grant their release from jail over concerns that the facility will soon host a COVID-19 outbreak. Matthew Goettsche and Jobadiah Weeks submitted separate motions petitioning the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, New Jersey for their release on March 20 and 23, respectively. Goettsche’s attorney, Rodney Villazor, said, “it is not a matter of ‘if’, but ‘when’” the corrections facility hosts a coronavirus outbreak. He argues that once the virus reaches the jail, “it will be nearly impossible to stop its spread,” adding that “the risk …

Amid contentious debate over the massive stimulus package in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Democrats in the United States House of Representatives look to implement the digital dollar to streamline payments to U.S. citizens outside of the traditional financial system. A digital dollar for direct payments to families A draft of the legislation circulating as of March 23 proposes the creation of digital wallets for U.S. citizens to be maintained by the Federal Reserve within a section entitled “Direct Stimulus Payments for Families.” The section envisions $2,000 monthly payments to every adult earning less than $75,000 a year, at which …

United States derivatives markets regulator, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), has joined the list of global authorities warning the public against cryptocurrency scammers trying to capitalize on the widespread coronavirus fears. In a statement issued on March 19, the CFTC highlighted that fraudsters commonly use major news events like the spread of COVID-19 in order to add credibility to their scam schemes or manipulate emotions. CFTC sees increased complaints involving crypto or forex-related scam schemes According to the statement, the agency has received hundreds of fraud complaints involving online digital assets or forex-related fraudulent schemes that promise to deliver …

Black hat hacker group Maze has infected the infrastructure of a firm researching the coronavirus with ransomware, managing to steal and publish sensitive data. The hack of medical information Cybersecurity firm Emsisoft told Cointelegraph on March 23 that Maze group’s hackers compromised United Kingdom medical firm Hammersmith Medicines Research. The published data includes sensitive data on medical test volunteers such as id documents like passports, medical background and details of the tests. Emsisoft threat analyst Brett Callow said: “[The data] is on the clear web where it can be accessed by anybody with an internet connection. [...] The criminals almost …

Rand Paul (R-KY) is the first U.S. senator to test positive for coronavirus. Paul also holds the distinction of becoming the first major U.S. politician to accept bitcoin donations in his 2016 presidential campaign. Libertarian views run in the family Rand Paul, like his father before him — Ron Paul, who ran for president as Libertarian in 1988, is known for his strong views on protecting individual freedoms. Dr. Paul is an outspoken critic of U.S. fiscal policy, tax policy, and the Federal Reserve as well as a notable supporter of cryptocurrency. Following in his father’s footsteps, Senator Paul has …

HashCash Consultants plans to release the latest crypto asset promising profit potential amid the atrophying global economy and coronavirus catastrophe. On March 23, HashCash announced its upcoming “Corona Fund Index Cryptocurrency” (CFIX), which promises traders the opportunity to “earn profits even during corona-crisis induced bear market.” The press release describes the cryptocurrency as being inversely correlated to the S&P 500 through “the backing of an inverse-exchange-traded fund (ETF).” CFIX will be paired against Tether (USDT) and is slated for launch on April 2. 90% of CFIX earnings will be donated to ‘Corona Relief Fund’ The firm claims 90% of trade …