bitFlyer Europe has integrated PayPal deposits, making it much easier for users to deposit fiat currency. 

Though the European branch of the major Japanese cryptocurrency exchange already supported wire card transfers, they were slow, taking up to three days to clear. By comparison, PayPal deposits will be virtually instant. Transactions will also be relatively cheap, with users only having to pay the standard PayPal fees – nothing being added by bitFlyer. 

Commenting on the development COO of bitFlyer Europe, Andy Bryant, said:

“We’re proud to offer users the opportunity to use their PayPal accounts to deposit funds for purchasing crypto. The integration of PayPal adds a new funding source for bitFlyer users. Thousands of bitFlyer users already use PayPal for fiat transactions. Now, users can purchase bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in the same way too.”

While Business Strategy Manager at bitFlyer Europe, Jacek Bastin, added:

“The cryptocurrency space is still in its infancy, and despite the ecosystem growing, the industry is still daunting for newcomers. Given that approximately a third of European e-commerce payments are being processed through PayPal, we are more than thrilled to provide users with a deposit method they know and rely upon. The process to deposit through PayPal is entirely frictionless, secure and reliable, with users to be credited near to instantly”.

Luxembourg-based bitFlyer Europe launched in January 2018, as a fully-owned subsidiary of bitFlyer, Inc.. bitFlyer is currently the only cryptocurrency exchange regulated in Japan, the US, and Europe combined. 

PayPal has over 340 million users globally, and is thought to process around 35% of all eCommerce transactions in Europe, so its integration is a major step in improving the user experience for bitFlyer. 

Staying with PayPal, in June the company posted job vacancies for crypto and blockchain engineers, and in July reports suggested the company is planning to introduce crypto trading through Paxos’ new brokerage service platform, fuelling speculation the payment company is planning to add direct support for major cryptocurrencies very soon.

AYO.NEWS says:

With people being so familiar with PayPal, thanks in large part to eBay, especially in Europe, the ability to deposit euros in a virtually frictionless way means this is exactly the kind of progress that will truly open up the crypto space to the mainstream. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

The recently established United States Space Force (USSF) has awarded a contract to blockchain firm Xage Security. 

Xage Security will use its blockchain-based Xage Security Fabric solution to provide end-to-end data protection for the USSF. To protect against hackers, the solution removes single points of entry, and allows the USSF to verify who is accessing systems.

Critically, the decentralised system will also enable vital assets, like satellites, to continue to operate securely, even if ground-based systems go offline for some reason. 

Commenting on the news Xage Security CEO, Duncan Greatwood, said:

“The USSF requires decentralized enforcement of security to establish space domain resilience and objective situational awareness––across every asset and data element. We built the Xage solution to serve the needs of complex critical infrastructure systems, and are excited to bring the Xage solution to the Space Force in the form of a blockchain-protected space system security.”

In December 2019, Silicon Valley-based Xage Security also won a contract from the United States Air Force (USAF). 

As previously reported, the United States Department of Defence (DoD) is investing heavily in blockchain-based cybersecurity solutions – which form part of its four-year roadmap published in 2019 – and is also looking into blockchain supply chain management solutions. 

AYO.NEWS says:

Considering the value, both monetarily and strategically speaking, of space-based assets, securing them from hackers and ensuring they can still operate if certain ground-based components go offline, is absolutely critical, so blockchain tech is the natural choice. 

Its not just the military employing blockchain in space either. As previously reported, in December 2019 SpaceChain’s latest blockchain hardware wallet technology blasted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, destined for the International Space Station. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

Binance.US, the American division of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, has partnered with the DeFi Alliance. 

The Chicago-based DeFi Alliance is a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing support and mentorship to DeFi startups, in the areas of trading, markets, and regulation. 

Since launching in April 2020, the alliance has attracted support from several major players in the DeFi space, including DRW/Cumberland CMT Digital, Aave, Compound Finance, Jump Capital, Volt Capital and others. 

In May, the DeFi Alliance selected a mix of decentralised exchanges, asset managers, and derivative platforms – 0x, Kyber Network, Opyn, Idex, Token Sets, Dydx, and Synthetix – as its first startups. 

Commenting on the news CEO of Binance.US, Catherine Coley, said:

“What drew innovators to the space over the past decade, and what draws newcomers now is the open access and global potential offered by decentralized financial systems. 

“By working with DeFi Alliance, Binance.US will help mature the DeFi space, build for broader inclusion, and support startups as they unlock the potential DeFi offers, the potential that so many of our users are passionate about.”

Binance.US is fully compliant and regulated in 40 US states, recently announced trading in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, and has said it aims to provide services to residents of all 50 states by the beginning of 2021. It currently supports ten DeFi tokens including LINK, from Chainlink, MKR, from Maker, and stablecoin DAI.

In August, Binance.US also announced it had joined the Washington DC-based Blockchain Association. 

AYO.NEWS says:

Things are starting to get confusing in the world of DeFi organisations – earlier this week we reported that the Global DeFi Alliance had welcomed 10 new members, including Aave, which is also a member of the DeFi Alliance… It’s a good job they have different branding! 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

A crypto enthusiast in Bakersfield, California, has hidden Bitcoin Cash (BCH) around the city in an effort to encourage adoption.

The ‘Bitcoin Man of Bakersfield’ (BMB), who describes himself as an “anonymous growth hacker and media manipulator,” hid 100 Bitcoin Cash (BCH) QR code stickers, worth $1,100 USD, in selected places around the city. 

BMB explained he was primarily aiming to spread awareness of cryptocurrencies in a fun way, and made the whole thing a bit of a treasure hunt, leaving cryptic clues at various locations. 

True to his “media manipulator” moniker, BMB resorted to photoshopping pictures of the QR stickers to fake social media success, and asked all those who found them to contact local news media. 

It seems the stunt did achieve some success, with at least one resident, a certain Indiana London, saying she’d found a sticker and it prompted her to download a crypto wallet for the first time – though she also said she initially thought the giveaway was a scam. 

Talking to his local ABC TV news channel, BMB explained he was encouraging the adoption of crypto in the city so that people could avoid the “scam of fractional reserve banking,” referencing the Federal Reserve’s unprecedented money printing efforts. 

Even high-profile BCH advocate, and tax exile, Roger Ver (who’s currently involved in another legal battle with self-proclaimed Bitcoin inventor Craig Wright, this time in Antigua and Barbuda) tweeted a news clip, and Bitcoin.com ran the story.

#BitcoinCash is spreading in ways #Bitcoin no longer can. https://t.co/NWlZsFCaap pic.twitter.com/kODQjFpLBl

— Roger Ver (@rogerkver) September 17, 2020

AYO.NEWS says:

With frustration at the current economic and financial system rapidly growing, exacerbated by the incompetent handling of the COVID-19 crisis, will we see more front line crypto warriors like the Bitcoin Man of Bakersfield? Something tells us the authorities won’t like it. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

Danish esports tournament organiser BLAST has entered a deal with blockchain company Hdac Technology. 

The partnership will see Hdac Technology branding featured throughout the BLAST Premier Country-Strike: Global Offensive circuit – including the Fall Series, Showdown, and Finals – in addition to content and giveaways. 

‘The Economy Play’, a broadcast integration featuring analysis of economy rounds, dissecting how teams choose to spend money on weapons, will also be sponsored by the blockchain company. 

Discussing the partnership Commercial Director for BLAST, Leo Matlock, said:

“BLAST and Hdac share a passion and focus on innovation and technology, which makes this partnership the perfect fit. In esports, our key audience are naturally more attuned to new technologies and pioneering industries – making them more open minded to the world of cryptocurrency and blockchain.

“We look forward to developing our partnership and are excited to see what can be achieved by bringing blockchain technology into the world of esports and Counter-Strike.”

While Senior Director for Hdac Technology, Hyun Jun Shin, added:

“We’re really excited to partner with BLAST and have a chance to collaborate on various unique pieces of content for the esports and gaming community, who are very tech savvy and open to investment in cryptocurrency. 

“As a proactive blockchain company who are invested in the esports industry including sponsoring the G2 Esports team, we are looking forward to engaging with the global audience.”

Hdac Technology is based in Zug, Switzerland (aka ‘Crypto Valley’), and the company also has a branch in Seoul, South Korea. Its platform, RIZON, combines blockchain with other core tech including IoT, Cloud, and Big Data, to provide a decentralised platform that meets a variety of needs. 

Specifically, RIZON optimises performance through its new ‘Friday Consensus’ system, providing fast general purpose WASM-based smart contracts, and human readable ID’s, SDK, and chain customisation. 

AYO.NEWS says:

Yep, we absolutely agree with Leo and Hyun, those involved in the esports scene tend to be very enthusiastic about the blockchain world too, so this seems like the perfect partnership, and we’re sure it will inspire other esports organisations to partner with blockchain and emerging tech companies. 

Staying with BLAST, last week the company announced its entry into Riot Games’ VALORANT, with a planned Ignition Series tournament for the title. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

Crypto-based sports betting platform Sportsbet.io has been named official betting partner of English Premier League club Arsenal FC. 

The three-year deal, which covers both the club’s mens and womens teams, starts with the 2020/21 campaign, and will see Sportsbet.io create exclusive digital content and experiences to reward its customers and Arsenal fans around the world. 

Sportsbet.io says it will also be collaborating with Arsenal to support the development of women’s football in its home country of Estonia, with the club sending pro coaches to train the country’s under-19 women’s team.

Discussing the partnership founder of Coingaming Group, Sportsbet.io’s parent company, Tim Heath, said:

“Signing a three-year deal with Arsenal, one of the most celebrated teams in the world, is a huge venture and something we are all very excited about. We’re confident that with Arsenal’s drive to innovate the sports industry, together with our own drive to innovate the gambling and crypto space, this is the perfect team for us.”

As previously reported, at the end of August, Sportsbet.io came to the rescue of another English Premier League club, Southampton FC, after it was forced to terminate its partnership with Chinese sports content, marketing and entertainment platform, LD Sports.

AYO.NEWS says:

It’s easy to forget that it was as recent as June 2019 when Sportsbet.io made history as the first ever crypto sports betting shirt sponsor of a Premier League side, when it inked a deal with Watford – now it seems having an official crypto betting or trading partner, or even a crypto sportsbook as main sponsor, as with Southampton, is mainstream. 

Staying with Coingaming Group, last week it was announced that former COO Maarja Pärt had been promoted to CEO. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020