Stock exchange operator NASDAQ is experimenting with blockchain technology, Republican presidential candidate Rand Paul has named Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne as a member of his tech council, and more top stories for May 11. NASDAQ Tests Blockchain Technology Stock exchange operator NASDAQ is experimenting with blockchain technology to see if it could be used for the trading of shares of private companies. More precisely, NASDAQ is testing blockchain tech in NASDAQ Private Market, a marketplace that handles pre-IPO trading among private companies, and where transactions are currently largely handled with informal systems such as spreadsheets. NASDAQ Chief Executive Robert Greifeld …

Interpol develops its own altcoin for conducting crime research, Republican presidential candidate Rand Paul believes Bitcoin should not be feared or regulated, and more top stories for April 24. Interpol Develops Altcoin to Conduct Crime Research The recently inaugurated Interpol Global Complex for Innovation (IGCI) located at Singapore recently announced their creation of a proprietary altcoin, to be used solely for research purposes by their cyber-crime division in order to develop new tools for crypto currency related crime detection and prevention. Explaining the move, IGCI Director and former Inspector General of Police with India’s Central Bureau of Investigation Madan Oberoi …

The Spanish tax authorities have published a statement classifying bitcoin as a means of payment exempting it from VAT charges. Some of the UK's top bankers are to discuss bitcoin among a fintech discussion panel this week. BitSIM hardware proposes piggybacking a sim-card to provide secure mobile payments without carrier support and more top stories for April 20. Bitcoin exempt from VAT in Spain A department of the Spanish tax authority has published an opinion stating that bitcoin should be treated as a means of payment, and will therefore stand exempt from VAT calculations. The move puts Spain inline with …