Blockchain Insider Podcast by 11:FS

G Sass is back in London for a second week in a row to join Simon for this week's recap of the top Blockchain news - and what a week of news it was. Bitcoin futures are now available for trading through CBOE. So what's a future, what's the significance of having a bitcoin future, and what was the impact when these futures launched? Next, why your grandmother should not be buying bitcoin, despite how easily some platforms are making it. The guys discuss the importance of investors' understanding of the market and risk. And if you do want to get up to speed on bitcoin, Colin gives his thoughts on the essential reading, and where to look for more information. Why are we so preoccupied with the energy consumption of bitcoin mining? And how might this impact the debate on energy use and climate change? Let us know why you think we're so attached to the energy narrative around bitcoin @BchainInsider. Digital Asset Holdings has been selected by Australian Stock Exchange, making it the first exchange to commercialise DLT. France will allow blockchain technology for trading unlisted securities (those not on the main exchange). So what will be the impact on startups and the listings market? And, MAMA has launched! That is, the Multichain Asset Management Association, an industry trade body for asset management startups. Plus, news that UBS is to launch a live Ethereum platform with Barclays, Credit Suisse and others. Next up, why has an ICO been halted after the SEC raised concerns over registration? And what does this say about the prospects for ICOs in the USA? And this week we also bring you an interview with Jamie Burke, founder and CEO at Outlier Ventures. Simon and Colin hear about Jamie's experience as an angel investor, the next phase of the web and the importance of decentralisation. They also discuss tokenomics and IOTA - why is it different to other DLTs and what's on their road map? That's it for this week. Don't forget, this episode is sponsored by ZILLA, a new ICO marketplace app. Browse ICOs, upvote or downvote so the good ones rise to the top and, if you like an ICO, participate with one-click! Pre-register for the limited ZILLA beta app at ZLA.io/bi. We hope you enjoy the show and, as ever, don't forget to subscribe. Missing out on the conversation? Tweet the show @bchaininsider or to read more about the news stories and have your say visit fintechinsidernews.com.Special Guest: Jamie Burke.Links: Bitcoin Futures Start With a Bang as 25% Rally Triggers Halts Getting Bitcoin on Grandma's Android Phone: 3 Easy Steps Please invest responsibly — an important message from the Coinbase team Bitcoin mining consumes more electricity than 20+ European countries Bitcoin mining consumes more electricity a year than Ireland | Technology | The Guardian Bitcoin mining uses more electricity than 159 countries — RT Business News Australian stock exchange to move to blockchain FinTech Insider News Asset management startups using blockchain get their own trade body: MAMA Company Halts ICO After SEC Raises Registration Concerns UBS to Launch Live Ethereum Compliance Platform with Barclays, Credit Suisse and More FinTech Insider News This man's lost bitcoin are now worth $75m – and under 200,000 tonnes of garbage FinTech Insider News

Colin has returned to the UK from his Australian adventure to join Simon back at our home in WeWork, Aldgate Tower. Once more, Bitcoin has hit a record high. But could the cryptocurrency's price be losing momentum? Bitcoin exchange Coinbase now has more users than stock brokerage Schwab, so what are the implications for its price? And, following its lawsuit defeat, Coinbase was forced to report some users to the IRS. Plus, as Bitcoin futures trading gets nearer, we ask why the price is still rising and what will contribute to its maturity? Five blockchain predictions for 2018, including non-financial applications, the internet of things and smart contracts. But will governments advance cryptocurrency tax rules? The cryptocurrency flash crash on the Bitfinex exchange caused uproar last week. So what caused it and could it have been avoided? Plus, was it really that bad? And, why did Bitfinex hire a law firm and team up with Tether? So many questions. And - it's finally here...the story of the week. Ladies and gentlemen. Boys and girls. We bring you - CryptoKitties. Sims for Bitcoin. We explore why oh why one special CryptoKittie sold for $117,000. One hundred and seventeen. Thousand. US dollars. But please, don't fork your kitties. And how is "a silly game about cats" accounting for 17% of the Ethereum network? We also consider the more serious implications, including why the ERC721 contracts are going to displace Ethereum ICOs in 2017. This week we are delighted to bring you an interview with R3 CEO David Rutter. Simon and David talk about blockchain's arrival, the joys of gardening leave and R3's journey from start up to leading blockchain firm. They also discuss the development of R3's platform, Corda, and their work with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) on Project Ubin. We hear about the significance of anti-trust law, going through Series A fundraising and the advantages of being a network business. Don't forget, this episode is sponsored by ZILLA, a new ICO marketplace app. Browse ICOs, upvote or downvote so the good ones rise to the top and, if you like an ICO, participate with one-click! Pre-register for the limited ZILLA beta app at ZLA.io/bi. We hope you enjoy the show and, as ever, don't forget to subscribe. Missing out on the conversation? Tweet the show @bchaininsider or to read more about the news stories and have your say visit fintechinsidernews.com.Special Guest: David Rutter.Links: Looking Heavy? Bitcoin Eyes Correction After New High - CoinDesk Bitcoin exchange Coinbase has more users than stock brokerage Schwab Coinbase ordered to report 14,355 users to the IRS CME Group to Launch Bitcoin Futures Contract & Bitcoin Hits An All Time High In Response 5 Essential Blockchain Predictions That Will Define 2018 Government of Bermuda Launches Cryptocurrency Task Force Swiss Central Banker: Bitcoin 'More Investment Than Currency' 'Flash crash' on Bitfinex leaves crypto traders angry 'Flash crash' on Bitfinex leaves crypto traders angry The ethereum world is now obsessed with breeding cartoon cats The ethereum world is now obsessed with breeding cartoon cats More Devs, More Destruction: Another Zcash Crypto Ceremony Is Underway The battle against deadly fake goods goes hi-tech

This week, normal service is resumed as we returned, inexorably, to ANOTHER new Bitcoin high - this time, over $9,000 and, according to many, fast approaching $10,000. So is it just the result of more buyers than sellers in the market, or could there be other reasons? Plus, why maths might mean Bitcoin could reach $100,000 by 2021. Bonds on Ether! Nivaura has issued the UK's first regulated Ether bond. But what will be the impact on CSDs? Following a spate of rogue ICOs, we discuss the possibility that the US Department of Justice (DoJ) will crack down, and more fool the first ICO to fall foul of the DoJ as they might be looking to set an example. Non-financial blockchain applications are coming. But will it succeed in blockchain-based air travel? Several airlines have partnered up to try to use DLT to iron out some of the bumps in air travel with luggage. Plus, how to talk about cryptocurrency at the dinner table, and Ripple did a thing...again. This week we also bring you two special features. Firstly, a roundtable on the ICO space with Ruth Wandhofer, Global Head Regulatory, Market & Innovation Strategy at Citibank; Jeff Bandman, Principal at Bandman Advisors; Lawrence Wintermeyer, Principal at Capstone; and Oliver Oram, founder and CEO at Chainvine. And second, Simon talks to very special guest Commissioner Brian Quintenz from the CFTC about the derivatives markets and the potential impact of distributed ledger technology (DLT). Don't forget, this episode is sponsored by ZILLA, a new ICO marketplace app. Browse ICOs, upvote or downvote so the good ones rise to the top and, if you like an ICO, participate with one-click! Pre-register for the limited ZILLA beta app at ZLA.io/bi. We hope you enjoy the show and, as ever, don't forget to subscribe. Missing out on the conversation? Tweet the show @bchaininsider or to read more about the news stories and have your say visit fintechinsidernews.com.Special Guests: Brian Quintenz, Jeff Bandman, Lawrence Wintermeyer, and Oliver Oram.

Welcome to an unusual show for us in recent weeks, as a new bitcoin high doesn't feature as our lead story! Getting us off the mark, the guys explore the new Bitcoin futures option from LedgerX priced at $10,000. Why did someone buy it, and could we be buying too? Next up, SegWit2x is back in the news, but having been called off last week, how has it caused some nodes to stumble? And our story of the week - the CME Group has announced that it'll launch Bitcoin futures. So does this represent Wall Street advancing on Bitcoin, or is it bringing crypto ever-closer to the mainstream? Answers on a postcard, please do let us know what you think @colingplatt or @sytaylor.] WTF Colin G Platt? Could your next trip to the cinema feature a blockbuster funded by crypto? If everything goes to plan for one Hollywood producer, then absolutely! So, will Hollywood become the next industry to be disrupted by DLT? And R3 founder and CEO David Rutter has spoken about why 2018 is a key year for him, and what it'll take to make it a success. So what do the guys think? We also bring you a roundtable on the state of blockchain recorded live at the ConsenSys launch part in Shoreditch, London, featuring Alex Batlin and Ed Budd from ConsenSys, Lawrence Lundy from Outlier Ventures, and Charlene Chen from BitPesa. The guys discuss where we are with distributed ledger technology (DLT), the impact it's had on financial services and where it's heading. Simon also caught up with Jeremy Millar about ConsenSys' plans for growth and their move to London. We hope you enjoy the show and, as ever, don't forget to subscribe. Missing out on the conversation? Tweet the show @bchaininsider or to read more about the news stories and have your say visit fintechinsidernews.com.Special Guests: Alex Batlin, Charlene Chen, Ed Budd, Jeremy Millar, and Lawrence Lundy.Links: First Long-Term LedgerX Bitcoin Option Pegs Price at $10,000 No Fork, No Fire: Segwit2x Nodes Stall Running Abandoned Bitcoin Code Coming Soon: Bitcoin Futures How the CME (un)intentionally weighed in on chain splits FUD on All Sides: In Defense of CME's Bitcoin Plan Hollywood Hitmaker Plans to Fund Next Blockbuster With Crypto R3’s CEO: missing full production next year would be "problematic"

The death of SegWit2x - what happened, why and what does it mean for bitcoin? How did $160m Eth get locked up in Parity wallets, and why might a fork be the only way to get it out? One of the greatest comebacks in (DLT) history - how could the former bitcoin king Mt. Gox be back in the money? Plus, a new blockchain-based international payments system from R3 and 22 of the world's biggest banks; Bjork accepting cryptocurrency for new album; a token to cryogenically freeze yourself; and, Grayscale Investments announces the launch of a Zcash investment trust. And we bring you two interviews. First, Simon speaks with Michael Casey, advisor, author, speaker and commentator. Next up, we talk to Daniel Cotti, CFO and Bank Partner Relationship, and David Sutter, Head of Platform Strategy, from TradeIX. We hope you enjoy the show and, as ever, don't forget to subscribe. Missing out on the conversation? Tweet the show @bchaininsider or to read more about the news stories and have your say visit fintechinsidernews.com.Special Guests: Daniel Cotti, David Sutter, and Michael Casey.Links: Bitcoin is in Wild Upheaval After The Cancellation of Segwit2x | Fortune Confusion and Euphoria As Bitcoin Cash Tops $30 Billion - CoinDesk Ethereum Security Lead: Hard Fork Required to Release Frozen Parity Funds - CoinDesk ICO Funds Among Millions Frozen In Parity Wallets - CoinDesk Former Bitcoin King Is Bankrupt—And He Could Get Rich Again - WSJ Top banks and R3 build blockchain-based payments system | Article [AMP] | Reuters Pop Star Bjork to Accept Cryptocurrency Payments for New Album - CoinDesk Grayscale Investments Announces Launch of the Zcash Investment Trust Cryogen - YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO PROLONG LIFE THROUGH THE APPLICATION OF CUTTING-EDGE SCIENCE OF CRYONICS TECHNOLOGY. The SAFT Is a Symptom of Regulatory Uncertainty - CoinDesk

First up this week - and what a week - we can confirm that SegWit2x is not going ahead! For more on this story, tune in to next week's episode. In this episode, we focus on the run up to what was nearly the biggest fork of the year. We return to the continuing astronomical rise in bitcoin - up as high as $7,600? So is it a bubble, and does the market need more infrastructure to entice large institutions? In related news, CME Group - the world's largest exchange - have announced that they're going to introduce bitcoin futures. The guys also discuss what SegWit2x will mean (or would have meant?) for the future of bitcoin. And will Bitcoin miners really consume as much electricity as the annual consumption of Nigeria? Is bitcoin really that power consuming or is it actually changing how we consume power? And we talk to Volodymyr Panchenko, founder and CEO of DMarket.io, and Alexander Kokhanovskyy, founder and CEO of DreamTeam, about their fascinating applications of DLT to e-sports. Also on this week's show: why Celebrity ICOs might become illegal; Colin wrote a long thing (derivatives clearing on distributed ledgers); the latest of Alex Tapscott and the NextBlock fund; Colin uses the words "willy-nilly" in a sentence; and much, much more. Don't forget, this episode is sponsored by ZILLA, a new ICO marketplace app. Browse ICOs, upvote or downvote so the good ones rise to the top and, if you like an ICO, participate with one-click! Pre-register for the limited ZILLA beta app at ZLA.io/bi. We hope you enjoy the show and, as ever, don't forget to subscribe. Missing out on the conversation? Tweet the show @bchaininsider or to read more about the news stories and have your say visit fintechinsidernews.com.Special Guests: Alexander Kokhanovskyy and Volodymyr Panchenko.Links: Bitcoin Hits $7,000 as Wall Street Interest Gets Real - WSJ CME Group Announces Launch of Bitcoin Futures Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein: I'm Open to Bitcoin - CoinDesk Understanding Segwit2x: Why Bitcoin's Next Fork Might Not Mean Free Money - CoinDesk One Bitcoin Transaction Now Uses as Much Energy as Your House in a Week - Motherboard Shell, BP Among Energy Giants to Back Blockchain Trading Platform - CoinDesk SEC: Celebrity ICO Endorsements Could Be Illegal - CoinDesk Alex Tapscott's Crypto VC Firm Going Public With $100M CAD Falsely Touted 4 Blockchain Stars As Advisors CIBC Walks From Tapscott's NextBlock Global After Falsehoods Revealed; More Misrepresentations Found Alex Tapscott's Crypto VC Firm Aborts Public Listing, Will Return Money After Falsehoods Revealed Tezos Faces Class-Action Suit Alleging Unregistered Sale of Securities, False Representations - ETHNews.com Implementing derivatives clearing on distributed ledger technology platforms » Banking Technology World Food Programme's ethereum-based blockchain for Syrian refugees in Jordan — Quartz India’s Largest Bank Goes Big on Blockchain Russia is going all in on bitcoin — and everyone’s got a theory – VICE News DEUTSCHE BANK: End of fiat money - Business Insider ‘If you follow us you will make money’: how bitcoin is marketed to the masses

First up on today's show, Simon and Colin tackle "tulip mania" and other common misconceptions about crypto assets. Bitcoin has hit yet another all time high - but is the price the key figure or should we be focusing on the growth in use and user numbers instead? We also talk boomer biases - send us your favourites. Next up, Iran has announced it is preparing to adopt Bitcoin for use in the country. Will we see a geopolitical shift, and how might it influence Bitcoin's reputation? Why are startups struggling to get bank accounts in the UK? The FCA Sandbox's Lessons Learned report points out that startups, particularly DLT startups, are often can't secure banking services. So is it time for a more nuanced approach by the big banks? Colin analyses the AMF's approach to ICOs, folowing their announcement of project UNICORN. If you missed it, check out Simon's blog on a best practice framework for token sales. And can blockchain revolutionise the coffee supply chain? Colin explains how, with the help of Shoreditch and hipsters. So is this another contrived blockchain application? Or, in an increasingly environmentally-conscious world, where authenticity and provenance are key, is this a real step forward? Breaking - we've unearthed the key to increasing your share price by 400% in one day...add the word Blockchain to your company name! We look at the story of On-Line Blockchain Plc. Also in today's show, Simon talks to Jeff Bandman about testifying to the SEC on Bitcoin and ICOs. And Colin catches up with Stephen Palley on his rather strong thoughts about Tezos. Thanks for listening, we hope you enjoy the show. As ever, don't forget to subscribe, and please do leave us a review on iTunes. Missing out on the conversation? Tweet the show @bchaininsider or to read more about the news stories and have your say visit fintechinsidernews.com.Special Guests: Jeff Bandman and Stephen Palley.Links: Worse Than Tulip Mania? Common Misconceptions About Crypto Assets - CoinDesk Government of Iran Is Preparing to Adopt Bitcoin for Use Inside the Country | Finance Magnates BTC to DLT: Why Aren't Banks Giving Blockchain Startups Accounts? - CoinDesk L’AMF lance une consultation sur les Initial Coin Offerings et initie son programme UNICORN - AMF French Regulator Launches 'UNICORN' ICO Support Project - CoinDesk Bext360: How Blockchain Can Revolutionize Coffee Supply Chain This Company Added the Word ‘Blockchain’ to Its Name and Saw Its Shares Surge 394% - Bloomberg This is the dumbest thing we’ve seen in a long time. When’s the crash? | FT Alphaville Hong Kong, Singapore sign fintech deal, will collaborate on blockchain

First up on this week’s show, Bitcoin keeps marching on, and it seems institutional money is behind its buoyancy. BlackRock, LedgerX, Wall Street - why it’s good news that everyone’s got an opinion on Bitcoin right now. The guys also dissect the Tezos story and ask: is it possible to raise too much money? With speculation that Tezos attracted nearly $300 million under a foundation model in Switzerland, the guys discuss how the situation will unfold. Meanwhile, with news that the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has aligned itself with the SEC in determining that ICOs can be commodities, are we seeing an emerging consensus towards blockchain in the US? Plus, we have a guest appearance from Fintech Insider’s Sam Maule, who caught up with Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, at Swell – Ripple’s payments conference – last week. Also on today’s show – how £11 trillion in derivatives is getting closer to the Blockchain; why Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella challenged Swift to build useful Blockchain applications; R3’s patent application; mining for charity; and much more. We hope you enjoy the show and, as ever, don't forget to subscribe. Missing out on the conversation? Tweet the show @bchaininsider or to read more about the news stories and have your say visit fintechinsidernews.com.Special Guest: Brad Garlinghouse.Links: Quiet Surge: Bitcoin Price Sets New High Above $6,000 - CoinDesk BlackRock Strategist: There's No 'Right or Wrong' Price for Bitcoin - CoinDesk LedgerX Trades $1 Million in Bitcoin Derivatives in First Week - CoinDesk Subscribe to read Special Report: Backroom battle imperils $230 million cryptocurrency venture The Path Forward – ArthurB – Medium Refund for the Tezos ICO - Restis Law Firm, P.C. Case » Block & Leviton LLP CFTC Aligns With SEC: ICO Tokens Can Be Commodities - CoinDesk DTCC Milestone: $11 Trillion in Derivatives Gets Closer to the Blockchain - CoinDesk Microsoft CEO Challenges Swift: Build 'Useful' Blockchain Applications - CoinDesk R3 Files Patents for 'Dynamic' DLT Recordkeeping - CoinDesk Donate Your Tab MIT Issues Diplomas Using the Bitcoin Blockchain

This week Bitcoin has gone the the moon! So what's the story behind its new all time high price? And how might the long courtship between Wall Street and Bitcoin have played a part in the story? The guys take a look at the JP Morgan messaging on Bitcoin, including Jamie Dimon's views. We cover news from both Swell and Sibos, the pseudonymous nature of Bitcoin and how SWIFT intend to respond to the changing payments landscape. PLus, how is IBM using cryptocurrency in cross-border payments? Colin explains why open blockchains might be the canary in the coalmine and, while the People's Bank of China Digital Currency Director calls for a centralised state cryptocurrency, Simon asks whether it's really possible to have a true cryptocurrency that's centralised. Plus, what can all this mean for a possible CryptoRuble? We return to the story of the legal battle between R3 and Ripple to find out who's in the ascendancy, and the guys discuss how Digital Asset Holdings intend to use the $40m series B funding they raised recently. And of course, we also revisit Segwit2x for an update on its progress, and discuss Ethereum's own Byznatium fork. Plus, interviews with Brian Behlendorf, Executive Director of the Hyperledger Project within the Linux Foundation, and Paul Worrall, founder of Zonafide. We hope you enjoy the show - don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Want to join the conversation on all the topics discussed? Tweet the show @bchaininsider or read more about the news stories and add your own thoughts at fintechinsidernews.com. And if you really love the show, why not leave us a review on iTunes?Special Guests: Brian Behlendorf and Paul Worrall.Sponsored By:Links: $5,800: Bitcoin Price Hits New Record High - CoinDesk This Is the Week Wall Street Went Nuts Over Cryptocurrencies - Bloomberg JPMorgan's Dimon betting on blockchain even as he calls bitcoin stupid JPMorgan CFO dials back Dimon's bitcoin criticism | Article [AMP] | Reuters Bernanke at Ripple Event: Blockchain Has 'Obvious' Benefits in Payments - CoinDesk Sibos Highlights Swift's Complicated Relationship With Blockchain - CoinDesk IBM's Stellar Move: Tech Giant Uses Cryptocurrency in Cross-Border Payments - CoinDesk PBoC Digital Currency Director Calls for Centralized State Cryptocurrency - CoinDesk Russia may soon issue its own official blockchain-based currency, the CryptoRuble | TechCrunch R3 And Ripple’s Legal Battle To Move To San Francisco And New York - ETHNews.com Digital Asset raises $40M for its blockchain-based financial platform - SiliconANGLE BitGo is a weird company : Bitcoin (1) Jameson Lopp on Twitter: "Dear anonymous coward who just sent dozens of cops w/ rifles to my house w/a false hostage situation report: I am not so easily intimidated." SegWit2x NYA Status Coin Dance | SegWit2x Blocks (historical) Summary Are Public Blockchain Systems Unlicensed Money Services Businesses in Disguise? – Rules of the Game Ethereum Executes Byzantium Blockchain Software Upgrade - CoinDesk A house has been bought on the blockchain for the first time | New Scientist Someone Just Lost $70,000 in a Failed ICO Purchase Attempt New cryptocurrency finds unlikely fan in Harry Redknapp | Technology | The Guardian

This week Simon and Colin crunch through all the week's top news. Why's everyone talking about SegWit2x, when will it happen and what does it mean for the future of bitcoin? Switzerland looks set to remain 'crypto valley' with talk of a code of conduct for ICOs. The guys talk security in bitcoin exchanges and why "those regulators gonna regulate". And with news that HMRC has built a blockchain proof of concept for the UK border, we discuss whether this is an efficiency no-brainer, or the precursor to a dystopian, crypto-enabled future. The database giant Oracle has unveiled its enterprise blockchain platform, but will this solution cannibalise its existing business? We also hear from Scott Nelson at Sweetbridge on expanding the definition of liquidity, and Abasa Phillips from Zilla to tell us about their new platform to invest in ICOs. And finally, wtf - what the Fetchcoin?! Whether its brilliantly conceived satire or a credible venture, you decide - let us know what you think! We hope you enjoy the show and, as ever, don't forget to subscribe. Missing out on the conversation? Tweet the show @bchaininsider or to read more about the news stories and have your say visit fintechinsidernews.com.Special Guests: Abasa Phillips and Scott Nelson.Links: Bitcoin.org Operators Aim to 'Denounce' Segwit2x Participants - Bitcoin News ICO Central: Why Switzerland Will Remain Crypto Valley - CoinDesk ADGM | ABU DHABI GLOBAL MARKET SETS OUT GUIDANCE ON INITIAL COIN OFFERINGS AND VIRTUAL CURRENCIES Chaos and hackers stalk investors on cryptocurrency exchanges HMRC builds blockchain proof of concept for UK border Oracle's Entrance: Database Giant Unveils Enterprise Blockchain Strategy - CoinDesk Fetch Coins — Secure Blockchain Startup Circle To Launch Open Source Project To Send Money Like Email And Text Dragonchain ICO Seeks to Commercialize Disney’s Blockchain Project - CryptoCoinsNews Uncensorable Wikipedia on IPFS Gamifying the Delivery of Money – Hacker Noon