Carbon exchange AirCarbon launched a global tokenized carbon credits trading platform in Singapore. Business news outlet Business Times reported on Oct. 30 that the platform will allow firms such as airlines to buy and sell tokens representing carbon offset credits or Eligible Emission Units (EEUs), approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The first token representing an EEU has been created today by Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of Trade and Industry Koh Poh Koon upon the platform’s launch at the Asia Clean Energy Summit 2019. The front end of the platform has been designed by United …

Singapore-based crypto exchange Huobi will launch a fiat gateway for the Turkish lira in late 2019. Huobi’s fiat onramp for lira will be the first fiat gateway launched by a global exchange, Huobi Global claimed during the opening event at the Eurasia Blockchain Summit on Oct. 18. During the inaugural event hosted by Huobi Global, the company also revealed more information about its expansion into Turkey. Specifically, Huobi unveiled the successful establishment of a local team, localized language option, mobile application, exclusive trading fees as well as a detailed strategy for Huobi Turkey. By launching the gateway, Huobi will enable …

A Singaporean banking branch of CIMB Group, one of the largest Asian investment banks, has completed its first blockchain-based trade financing transaction. The transaction was processed using a blockchain and Internet of Things (IoT) platform developed by local trade financing firm iTrust Trading, Yahoo Singapore reports Oct. 17. By applying iTrust’s blockchain-based IoT, CIMB intends to minimize the risks associated with commodity trade financing and facilitate credit extension for its customers by gaining access to real-time monitoring of the cargo data in transit and in the warehouse. The technology reportedly provides all stakeholders with secured accessibility and data integrity of …

Blockchain technology has proven to be a catalyst of change across a wide variety of industries in the years since Bitcoin’s (BTC) inception in 2009. The subsequent creation of various blockchain projects and alternate cryptocurrencies has shown that blockchain technology can provide innovative changes across a broad spectrum. The worlds of finance, logistics and even law has directly benefited from the various applications of blockchain technology. Another sector that is beginning to embrace its potential benefits is education. Educational institutions are a vital cog in the development of new technology and the industry certainly hasn’t lagged behind in terms of …

The Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and blockchain firm Perlin are jointly working on an e-registry for the ship registration and renewal process. Running on self-executing smart contracts The International E-Registry of Ships (IERS) system is based on Perlin’s Wavelet, an open ledger for writing decentralized WebAssembly applications, financial daily Business Times reported on Oct. 14. The blockchain e-register will run on self-executing smart contracts, purportedly reducing time, costs and occurrence of errors in the registration process. The initiative found favor with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, which is testing the registration process …

United Kingdom-based digital banking app Revolut announced a major partnership with Visa to expand its services globally across 24 new markets, including North America. According to a Sept. 30 press release, this will bring 56 markets worldwide in total into Revolut’s reach. North, Latin American and Asian markets Per the release, the terms of the agreement stipulate that Revolut will primarily issue Visa-branded cards as it pursues its global expansion push. Visa will enable the app to launch services initially in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore and the United States. This first group of jurisdictions will be …

The United Kingdom, the United States, Hong Kong and Singapore have the largest number of registered digital currency exchanges, according to data from Bitfury’s blockchain analytics platform Crystal. Crystal published its “Report on International Bitcoin Flows 2013–2019” on Sept. 9, in which it provides insight into cryptocurrency operations and Bitcoin (BTC) transactions around the world between Jan. 1, 2013, and June 30, 2019. U.K. and U.S. lead the rating The findings show that the largest number of registered crypto exchanges are in the U.K., the U.S., Hong Kong and Singapore. Countries such as Argentina, India, Mexico, Russia and Indonesia report …

Philippine boxing champion and celebrity Manny Pacquiao has launched his own cryptocurrency. On Sept. 1, the South China Morning Post reported that the Filipino boxer turned politician and singer launched his own token with the financial support of private investors such as ex-Liverpool and England soccer star Michael Owen and Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed al-Nahyan, a member of Abu Dhabi’s ruling family. Listing on Singapore-based Global Crypto Offering Exchange The Pac token will be listed on Singapore’s Global Crypto Offering Exchange (GCOX), paving the way for his fans to buy merchandise and interact with him via social media. GCOX Founder …

Sygnum is in talks with local regulators to seal a banking license in Singapore, Bloomberg reported on Aug. 28. The cryptocurrency firm has only just been issued a conditional banking and securities dealer license in Switzerland — and now aims to become a fully regulated bank on the island nation so it can provide a full suite of financial services. Becoming a full-fledged, regulated crypto bank Sygnum co-founder and chief strategy officer Gerald Goh said its application for the Singapore license will get underway once it becomes a fully fledged Swiss bank later this year. The financial services it would …

Rwanda’s central bank, the National Bank of Rwanda, is researching how to offer an official digital currency. BNN Bloomberg reported the news on Aug. 22. The central bank is said to be interested in offering digital currency as a means to increase transaction efficiency and foster economic growth. However, Financial Stability Director-General Peace Masozera Uwase warned work remains to be done before implementation is on the table, adding: “There are still concerns about how exactly you convert the entire currency into digital form, how to distribute that and how fast can you process those transactions [...] Challenges come in, if …

Stablecoin-based settlement platform Everex has obtained a full Money Transmitter License from a New Jersey regulator, allowing the company to test services in the United States. In a press release shared with Cointelegraph on Aug. 19, Everex revealed that the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance issued the company a full Money Transmitter License as of Aug. 13. Big plans on U.S. expansion The license reportedly authorizes Everex to conduct activities such as peer-to-peer (P2P) cryptocurrency to fiat exchange, including with U.S.-based exchanges. Everex will also be able to perform blockchain-enabled payments and P2P cryptocurrency-fiat-stablecoin transfers both domestically and …

The Association of Cryptocurrency Enterprises and Startups, Singapore (ACCESS), has developed a Code of Practice in partnership with multinational law firm Linklaters. A Global Legal Post report published Aug. 19 revealed that ACCESS had the support of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) — the country’s central bank and regulatory authority — and also consulted the Association of Banks in Singapore to launch the new initiative. Tackling AML/CFT Risks The new Code of Practice falls within the scope of ACCESS’ “Standardization of Practice in Crypto Entities,” which provides detailed Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) guidelines (including …