Are Initial Coin offerings (ICOs) legal? It's hard to know, with a number of vague hints - and enforcement actions - suggesting that the SEC largely views the answer to be no. And while the market is still well ahead of formal regulatory policy, some hints have finally been offered in a recently-issued "Framework for 'Investment Contract' Analysis of Digital Assets." What … [Read more...] about New SEC Framework Charts a Narrow Way Forward for Token Developers
Cryptofinance
A Reality Test for Enterprise Blockchain Technology at Financial Institutions
Following is the text from a talk I gave April 2 at the International Blockchain Congress held in Chicago. When it comes to blockchain projects for enterprise financial institutions, I'm sure I’m not alone in wondering, What's real? To be clear, I am not a naysayer. I understand the business possibilities for blockchain technology well enough to believe that it has … [Read more...] about A Reality Test for Enterprise Blockchain Technology at Financial Institutions
Can Chicago Become a Crypto Capital?
David Carman and George Vukotich, co-founders of the FinTank incubator, are pursuing a vision of Chicago as a center of cryptoasset trading. More than 120 other FinTech professionals share that vision enough to have spent a couple of hours on Monday, Mar. 18 in the Loop discussing how to make the vision a reality. It was a positive atmosphere, and I’m glad I was … [Read more...] about Can Chicago Become a Crypto Capital?
Chicago Blockchain Events Roundup
For cryptocurrency professionals, the next few weeks have more to offer than a warmer turn in the weather. A number of blockchain events are set to take place around Chicago over the next month. Take a look and make sure to register for these meetings soon if you're interested in attending, as they're rapidly approaching. PAABC/GCSI CyberSecurity Meetup PAABC/GCSI … [Read more...] about Chicago Blockchain Events Roundup
Built in Chicago Shines Spotlight on Rising FinTech Startups in 2019
Built in Chicago recently put out its feature on the 50 rising startups to watch in the Chicago area. The stand-out FinTech crowd to watch for this year include: Aeropay, a payment platform that allows customers to pay local businesses via a secure networked transaction - bypassing standard credit card processing fees. Businesses on the platform pay less than 1% in fees, … [Read more...] about Built in Chicago Shines Spotlight on Rising FinTech Startups in 2019
Open Source Finance
The future of currency looks increasingly invisible—and branded. Bitcoin is going through something of an identity crisis. While much cryptofinance news over the past 18 months has focused on the fluctuating price of bitcoin (BTC) and the use of crypto-tokens to raise capital, the underlying blockchain technology was designed to account for payment transactions. The recent … [Read more...] about Open Source Finance