Google decided to adopt the experience of Facebook to change the advertising policy for crypto and ICO and have already begun to restrict the issuance of advertisements in AdWords, which mention products or services related to cryptocurrencies. Despite the fact that no official announcements have been received from Google, marketing firms and PR agencies report a significant decrease in the issuance of advertisements related to cryptocurrencies, ICO and projects on the blockchains.
Taking advantage of the fact of a whole flurry of information about the potentially multi-billion dollar ICO of the popular Telegram messenger, a fake website has appeared that tried to attract potential investors. The site (https://telegramfoundation.org/), which is allegedly organized by the Telegram Foundation, offered to invest funds for what it called a "public ICO" of the Telegram (TON). However, it is known that the real TON pre-sale was mostly held behind closed doors, and the only public information related to the proposal in Form D, which was filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The largest automobile Concern Daimler AG, together with the German commercial bank Landesbank Baden-Württemberg (LBBW), completed the test blockchain-project, issuing corporate bonds for 100 million euro within the framework. The pilot project also involved the banks of Esslingen-Nürtingen, Ludwigsburg and Ostalb. All transactions within the framework of the test carried out using blockchain technology and protected by cryptography. The bond redemption period is 1 year.
Earlier this year, when the price of Bitcoin compared to the record highs of December 2017 fell by more than 60%, another very important indicator - the number of transactions in the blockchain for the day - decreased. Compared to December last year, this figure has dropped almost twofold, reaching a record low mark over the past two years. "We had a hype-cycle and now it's cooling down," explains Charles Morris, investment director for the London-based company Newscape Capital Group, "We just may be entering a bear market"
Co-founder of UBER Garrett Camp intends to issue a cryptocurrency called Eco. Camp sees it as a global virtual currency, used as a means of payment for daily user transactions. The planned emission will be 1 trillion Eco coins, half of which will be completely distributed among the first billion registered and verified users. 20% will be provided to universities, node managers, and 10% to the partners of the company, advisors and Eco Foundation, which will support the network. For the Eco Foundation's operating expenses, Garrett Camp plans to provide $ 10 million with partners.
The Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States (SEC) began to verify the legitimacy of the activities of crypto-exchange companies. Dozens of companies operating on the cryptocurrency market received agendas and requests for the provision of financial information, which will be analyzed and evaluated by the regulator. The commission's concern is caused by the almost unregulated scope of ICO projects, as well as some ways of attracting investments. In particular, this is the organization and conduct of ICO by companies whose activities do not fall under the normative acts governing the conduct of traditional public events.
The Australian currency exchange exchanger Bitcoin.com.au made it possible to purchase Bitcoin and Ethereum for Fiat in more than 1200 newsstands throughout the country. "The fact that you can now buy Bitcoin and Ethereum from the same place you purchase soft drinks and stationery really speaks to how institutionalised cryptocurrency has become [...] For anyone who has hesitated about buying Bitcoin because it all seemed too complicated, this is the perfect setup that takes the fear factor out of investing in digital currencies", said Bitcoin.com.au CEO Rupert Hackett.
Pacific Marshall Islands is planning to issue its own crypto currency, which will become the official legal tender of the republic. Last week, members of parliament voted to promote this initiative, Senator Kenneth Chedi said. According to him, the senate still has a few days to oppose, but this is unlikely.
Japanese company Kumamoto Energy, a producer and supplier of electricity from the city of Kumamoto, began using solar energy for mining. The company is also affiliated with "Take Energy Corporation Co" Ltd, the largest corporation that manages solar power plants in the prefecture. The activities of the subsidiary "Kumamoto Energy" "OZ Mining", are aimed at the effective use of surplus electricity produced by mining farms.
Telegram Open Network may refuse to hold a public ICO. The company is ready to conduct a closed sale of tokens among a small number of investors and attracted the "iTechCapital" and "Da Vinci Capital" funds for their search. The public ICO (initial coin offering - the initial placement of coins of cryptocurrency or tokens that give their owners certain rights) of the project of the Telegram Open Network (TON) by Pavel Durov, which was expected in March, may not take place. The company is ready to confine itself to two closed investment rounds among qualified investors, and to allocate a part of the tokens to the development team of TON. This follows from two presentations for potential investors. These are materials in which on behalf of venture funds "iTechCapital" and "Da Vinci Capital" investors are invited to participate in the ongoing second round of the closed sale of TON tokens. Three investors confirmed their authenticity.