LedgerX Thinks Bitcoin is Ready for Options (Again)

New York City startup LedgerX has submitted applications to the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commisions (CFTC), to register as a "swap execution facility and derivatives clearing organization." If approved LedgerX would be allowed to list physically-settled digital currency option contracts, particularly Bitcoin denominated contracts. Continue reading

As IPO Fails, Breakout Gaming Plan A Bait And Switch

After the failed Breakout Gaming ICO managed only to raise 80.71 BTC of the 10,000 BTC they were aiming for, the team behind the coin are planning to pull a bait and switch in hopes of salvaging what's left of the non-existent casino. Some of poker's biggest names, such as David Benyamin, Todd Brunson and Johnny Chan have been used to promote the coin and gaming network. Continue reading

Ayo, I'm Tired Of Hearing People Saying Blockchain Technology

If 2013 was the year of "the other 6 billion", 2014 is the year of "blockchain technology". This hysteria, culminating with the Wall St Journal's latest piece which goes so far as to just drop the name Bitcoin altogether in favour of Blockchain1, is yet another attempt to do the impossible – stop Bitcoin. Continue reading


  1. An attempt to remove Bitcoin from the vernacular. 

FinCEN: Payment Processors, Others may be Regulated Money Transmitters

FinCEN issued two administrative rulings in regards to "Virtual Currency." The first concerns "exchanges" and supposes they may be regulated as Money Transmitters under the Banking Secrecy Act. The second though supposes that payment processors like BitPay may similarly fall under their purview. This shift comes contrary to the expectations BitPay had disclosed anticipating from FinCEN.

PDFs of the rulings are available here: ruling 1, ruling 2. Extracted plaintext is available below. Continue reading