The Israeli Securities Authority (ISA) has issued a Jan. 20 Request For Information to identify potential regulations that prevent the development of blockchain-based ventures in the country. In addition, the regulator seeks to find out the practical applications of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). As Israel’s financial watchdog, the ISA formed a committee to promote the development of the blockchain industry in the country. The regulator focused on platforms that issue and trade blockchain-based securities and their properties, including the use of tokens and smart contracts. This initiative builds from the work of an earlier committee that studied the risks posed …

A militant group with ties to the Iranian regime and Hamas — the de facto ruling authority of the Gaza Strip in Palestine — is allegedly upping its Bitcoin (BTC) fundraising activities. The spur for the increase is reportedly a slump in resources, compounded by Iran’s recent rejection of the group’s request for financial support. An analysis of the group’s activities was detailed in a cyber desk report from the IDC’s International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT), as reported by the Jerusalem Post on Jan. 19. “Irregular increase” in wallet activities The ICD-ICT cyber desk report claims there has been an …

In Israel, the number of blockchain and crypto-related companies increased by 32% in 2019, according to a report from the Israeli Bitcoin Association published on Dec. 30. The report revealed that there were 150 active companies in the field in 2019, while at the end of 2018, the number was 113. Out of the 113 companies, only 63 continue to operate today, with the information about the rest of them unavailable. The Association suggested this is because those companies did not survive the past year. Other related statistics Although the report did not provide data on the number of employees …

Upstart crypto company Saga wants to issue a new global currency on the blockchain. Just don’t call it a stablecoin. Saga’s SGA digital currency relies on an international reserve asset called Special Drawing Rights (SDR), which was introduced by the International Monetary Fund in 1969. This is a conventional basket of major world currencies — the US dollar, the euro, the British pound sterling, the Japanese yen, and the Chinese renminbi — that central banks around the world use to hedge against fluctuations in their own local currency. SGA borrows this model for a financial instrument and puts it on …

Israeli crypto entrepreneur Moshe Hogeg and his blockchain firm Stox (STX) are facing a lawsuit from a disgruntled investor in the United States. A Vancouver-based investor has accused Hogeg of major breaches of contract and alleged fraud that caused him losses of at least $430,000, according to a lawsuit filed Nov. 25. The complaint is filed with the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington. In the 43-page lawsuit, the plaintiff Sean Snyder claims that the company failed to perform its obligations under its whitepaper by issuing a larger amount of tokens than originally announced and eventually …

The firm behind a purportedly Estonia-based cryptocurrency exchange DX.Exchange is ceasing operations following a petition filed by employees. CX Technologies, the Israeli company operating DX.Exchange, entered bankruptcy after 78 of its employees filed a petition against the company with an Israeli court, the Times of Israel reported on Nov. 24. The petition specifically alleged that DX.Exchange’s website stated that the exchange had been owned by an Estonia-registered company, while in fact it was operated by CX Technologies. Binary options scam and relations with the ruling elite Employees also claimed that CX Technologies is a successor to SpotOption, formerly a software …

Tel Aviv-based media outlet BLOCKTV announced details of a tokenized rewards system to incentivize sources to share exclusive news tips. This comes after BLOCKTV revealed that its native token, BLTV, would be listed on the Bittrex Global exchange on Nov. 21. BLOCKTV CEO Aviram Elad told Cointelegraph: “We see the BLTV token as a solution to fix a broken business model in the media industry. The token aims to empower an upcoming token economy that combines content creators, advertisers, and consumers.” BLTV is an ERC20 token that will be offered to publishers, journalists, advertisers, sources and viewers. It forms the …

Israeli cybersecurity startup GK8 has reportedly developed the world’s first offline system for transacting cryptocurrencies. The new system uses GK8’s proprietary cryptographic techniques that enable instant blockchain transactions of digital assets without any need for an internet connection, Israeli business news publication Globes reported on Sept. 18. The company raised $4 million in a funding round led by Discount Capital, a venture arm of one of Israel’s three largest banks, Discount Bank, and Marius Nacht, a co-founder of cybersecurity giant Checkpoint. Other investors reportedly included EdenBlock, iAngels, IDEAL-HLS, StratX and the Israel Innovation Authority. As reported by Globes, GK8’s new …

It has been almost a decade since Dan Senor and Saul Singer penned “Start-Up Nation,” their ode to the Israeli tech sector. The book, which chronicles much of Israel’s success as a small but potent innovation force that spans countless industries, highlights the immense technological knowhow and seemingly fearless energy that supports the country’s thriving startup culture. Nearly a decade later, Israel has not missed a beat in terms of capitalizing on the biggest trends in technology. From cybersecurity to artificial intelligence and machine learning, Israel’s legion of innovators is tackling problematic areas felt in numerous sectors with its own …

French police have shut down a massive botnet that has been used for Monero (XMR) cryptojacking. Cryptojacking backed by “massive firepower” BBC News reported the development on Aug. 27. According to the police, the botnet was distributed by sending virus-laden emails with offers for erotic pictures or fast cash, and further propogated through infected USB drives. The virus, called Retadup, ultimately infected 850,000 computers in over 100 countries — thus creating a massive botnet. The chief of C3N — the French police’s cybercrime unit — Jean-Dominique Nollet spoke on France Inter radio about the power of a botnet this size, …

The Capital Market, Insurance and Saving Authority, a division of Israel’s Ministry of Finance (MoF), is looking to accelerate the process of procuring licenses for blockchain and fintech companies in the country. Israeli business news outlet Calcalist reported the development on Aug. 19. According to the report, the authority has launched dedicated industry teams, some of which specialize in blockchain companies. According to the report, the authority is hoping to foster local competition by licensing more fintech companies. Moshe Barkat, who was appointed as the supervisor for the department back in 2018, remarked: "Business and technological innovation and the relationship …

The Israel Bitcoin Association, a nonprofit organization that promotes the use of Bitcoin (BTC) and cryptocurrencies, has reportedly filed a freedom of information petition with a Jerusalem court. The petition purportedly seeks to require local banks to disclose their policies on money originating from digital currencies. Local news daily Globes reported on Aug. 19 that state banks are required to report reasons for refusing transactions to the country’s central bank, the Bank of Israel. The association previously reached out to Bank of Israel, asking for clarification on the cryptocurrency policies of commercial banks, but were reportedly refused. Association chairman Meni …