UNICEF has announced that the non-profit organization is looking forward to providing internet facilities in Kyrgyzstan schools using Blockchain Technology. The plan has been decided to be formulated under the Project Connect initiative currently working in Kyrgyzstan. The project is now in its pilot stage where it is undergoing through various trials.
Carrefour, the French multinational retailer, has now launched the second phase of plans which aims to track milk production and its life cycle using blockchain technology. Reportedly, the implementation of blockchain technology will allow the customers to find out various details, including the dairy farm GPS location, the feeding details of the cows, and the time and process of the packaging of the milk.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued a Financial System Stability Assessment Report on the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA). The report states that there are alarming gaps in MFSA’s regulatory framework for anti-money laundering and combating financing of terrorism. Also, Malta-based blockchain companies are finding difficulty in opening bank accounts. The IMF has recommended employing of more resources to supervise blockchain and cryptocurrency service providers.
ExxonMobil and Chevron, along with five other global oil and gas firms, have signed a partnership agreement to form Oil & Gas Blockchain Consortium. The consortium will conduct proofs of concept for exploration of the potentials of blockchain technology, and promote global adoption of the technology.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has revealed that it is adopting a ‘regulatory sandbox’ approach to utilize the cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI). The SEBI officials have claimed that innovation in Fintech can be better achieved by following a ‘sandbox’ approach, which offers temporary relaxations of regulations to build a safe platform for companies to test Fintech services in a live environment, without lending them full authorisation and licensing protocol.
The Malaysian State of Penang has announced its plans to implement blockchain technology in supply chain management of food and agricultural products. However, no specific details about time or any type collaborations has been revealed yet. The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industries of Malaysia is assertive that implementation of the technology will reduce the operational costs and improve the overall security by eliminating middlemen.
The Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta (IIM, Calcutta) has announced its plans to launch an advanced program in FinTech and financial blockchain technology. The institute will collaborate with TalentSprint, a digital platform that offers Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Blockchain courses, to accomplish the goal. It will offer the program in IIM Calcutta’s premises as well as via TalentSprint’s online platform.
JPMorgan Chase has announced that it is testing a new privacy protocol called as zero-knowledge proofs to allow private transactions efficiently. The protocol that has been built by AZTEC, a London blockchain startup, is aimed at allowing efficient encryption of blockchain data at lesser costs. As stated, JPMorgan’s Quorum team is testing AZTEC with an intent to industrialize zero-knowledge proofs for Quorum.
Bitfinex, an advanced cryptocurrency exchange, has announced the recovery of a part of the stolen Bitcoins which was reported in 2016. The exchange had lost 120,000 BTC (approx. $72 million) and currently retrieved 27.7 BTC of it, which be refunded to about 5,000 of its affected customers. The exchange had collaborated with unnamed law enforcement agencies from both the U.S. and Europe to conduct investigations into the case.
Sony and Fujitsu have developed a blockchain-based encrypted database platform for Japanese language proficiency documents. The database is claimed to prevent frauds related to Japanese language proficiency tests, as foreign students usually tend to attain fake documents to receive resident status in Japan. Using the blockchain-powered platform, certificates can be verified and authenticated with data registered on the blockchain, the company said.