Several firms that collectively raised about $40 million through unregulated initial coin offerings (ICOs) in 2017 missed their deadlines to repay investors following charges by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Wall Street Journal reported on Nov. 14 that the firms agreed to repay investors or provide more transparency in exchange for lower fines, but did not follow through. The tardy firms Airfox and Paragon Coin missed the original deadline to repay investors who bought their tokens, which was set for Oct. 16. A third startup is over five months late on providing its investors the information …

Brazilian retail giant Via Varejo has partnered with blockchain payment service Airfox, according to a September 12 press release. Via Varejo, which owns home appliance and furniture chain Casa Bahia, is integrating Airfox’s digital banking platform on its e-commerce platforms, as well as in nearly 1,000 of its offline shops. As the press release notes, customers will be able to purchase goods in Casa Bahia by paying directly via Airfox, or will be able to use microloans provided by the retail group. Customers can also reportedly use the app for personal finance, such as depositing and withdrawing cash, at the …