What will the addition of Litecoin and Ethereum mean for the Uphold platform?

An interesting update was posted on the Uphold blog not too long ago, as company Executive Vice President Jorge Pereira announced the platform will be adding both Litecoin and Ethereum in the next few months. By the look of things, Uphold is planning to go big on digital currency, as they only supported Bitcoin up until this point. Offering different types of digital currency which can be traded against precious metals on the platform could be a smart move for Uphold.

http://themerkle.com/uphold-will-add-litecoin-and-ethereum-soon/

Do you feel Bitcoin users should stop using third party services?

Making payments with a credit card is very convenient, as this method of value transfer is accepted both online and in-store all over the world. But at the same time,  so many different third party players are involved in the processing of credit cards, leaving customers exposed to financial information being stolen. Amex users have received a letter from the card issuer informing them about a potential hack recently. Bitcoin users could take note from this lesson, though, as there is no need to trust third parties with digital currency either.


http://bitcoinist.net/amex-third-party-data-breach-is-a-lesson-for-bitcoin-users/

How should blockchain technology evolve to become the new standard in filing copyright protection?


Blockchain technology has a wide variety of use cases, most of which are waiting to be discovered by aspiring developers and entrepreneurs. Distributed ledgers can play a significant role when it comes to issuing copyright claims, as tamper-proof timestamped logs can be created and made publicly available at the same time. But that doesn’t mean such technology will be able to replace the existing services as quickly as some people would like it to be.

https://news.bitcoin.com/blockchain-technology-will-not-replace-copyright-offices-just-yet/

There is a certain overlap in communities between those who like to play video games and people who are interested in Bitcoin and digital currency. For many of these people in the middle, it would make perfect sense to spend Bitcoin on in-game purchases, or even games themselves. But popular mobile wallet provider Airbitz is taking things one step further, as they want to sponsor an eSports team.


http://themerkle.com/airbitz-wants-to-bring-bitcoin-to-csgo-esports/

What are your thoughts on what is happening to BitQuick?

Rather shocking news was posted by BitQuick not too long ago after their platform had come under attack by assailants a few days ago. Although the company claims no user funds has been stolen during the attack, security of the exchange has been compromised. Right now, there is no indication whether or not the company will ever return online as rumours are circulating BitQuick is up for sale right now.

http://themerkle.com/bitquick-shuts-down-and-looks-for-new-management-after-security-breach/

What are your thoguhts on the critical piece on Bitcoin by VTV? Are any of their references able to hold back interest in digital currency?

Digital currency is gaining more popularity all over the world, and Venezuela is one of the most recent countries where Bitcoin adoption is starting to gain traction. Although the local government is not too keen on Bitcoin in general, consumers and businesses are flocking to digital currency because it operates outside of the control of central banks. Economic experts and various media outlets have jumped on the Bitcoin bandwagon as well in recent times, creating an attractive ecosystem for digital currency going forward.

http://themerkle.com/mainstream-media-in-venezuela-condemns-bitcoin/

What are you doing to protect yourself from a TeslaCrypt infection?

The world of Bitcoin ransomware has gotten a lot more creepy now that security researchers have announced it is all but impossible to crack the encryption used by the latest strain of TeslaCrypt. Keeping in mind how this Bitcoin ransomware is being spread by infected and networks on the main media outlet websites, there is an alarmingly high possibility of infection, and no way to do anything about it but paying the ransom fee. TeslaCrypt 3.0.1 is one type of Bitcoin ransomware that nobody wants to deal with right now.

http://bitcoinist.net/unbreakable-encryption-teslacrypt-ransomware-forces-users-pay-bitcoin-fee/

Are you concerned about Stagefright on Android at all? Or have you taken security precautions?

The number of exploits and security threats on the Android platform does not seem to be coming to an end anytime soon. A new StageFright exploit puts millions of Android devices at risk of being hijacked, leaving phones and tablets vulnerable to remote hacking. Bitcoin users should be especially wary of this exploit as it could their funds at stake. So far, no devices have been confirmed to be safe from harm, as security researchers exploited various phone models over the past few days.

http://bitcoinist.net/new-stagefright-bug-android-puts-end-bitcoin-privacy/

Should Australian banks embrace Bitcoin to boycott Apple Pay?

Although banks might still not be all that keen on Bitcoin and digital currency in general, they are unable to ignore this trend for much longer. ANZ Business Change and Implementation Manager Max Tannahill is thinking along the same line, as he feels Australian banks should embrace Bitcoin sooner rather than later. Moreover, Bitcoin adoption would put another nail in the coffin of Apple Pay in Australia, which is a payment method the major banks are opposing at every turn.

http://themerkle.com/bitcoin-is-an-ally-for-australian-banks-to-boycott-apple-pay/

Do you agree with PwC's findings? Or are banks being smart about not getting overexcited about blockchain technology?

According to a new report released by Big Four Accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the Fintech revolution will not revolve around blockchain innovation per se, though it will remain at the top of trends in the banking industry. Meanwhile, banks are still preferring to integrate “easier” solutions, which will optimize day-to-day operations.

https://news.bitcoin.com/pwc-report-blockchain-illiteracy-hurt-banks/

What are your expectations for Ownage?

There are certain correlations between the worlds of gaming and digital currency, even though it is hard to monetize any content or achievements for gamers. Ethereum smart contracts can play an important role in this process as they would allow for the transfer of digital ownership, which could have quite the impact on the gaming industry we know today. Projects such as Spells of Genesis have already shown the world how gaming and blockchain technology can come together to create something entirely different.

http://themerkle.com/ethereum-based-ownage-will-change-digital-ownership-forever/

Do you know anyone who would like to buy Bitcoin with OKPAY?

Various exchange platforms around the world are trying to make the purchase of Bitcoin more convenient, in an effort to attract more customers on a global scale. Sometimes, that means Bitcoin exchange platforms have to add more traditional payment methods. Coinimal has done exactly that, as they now support OKPAY as a new payment option. Buying Bitcoin – and Ethereum in this case – has become a lot more convenient for users all over the world.

http://themerkle.com/coinimal-adds-okpay-for-users-to-buy-bitcoin-and-ethereum/

Can Bitwala make an impact on the way businesses send payments to employees around the world?

There is no denying companies around the world should keep a close eye on blockchain technology and Bitcoin payments as they stand to gain a  lot from doing so. Various companies active in the Bitcoin world are trying to provide services to businesses and consumers alike, and Bitwala is focusing their attention on small business owners and freelancers. Reducing the fees associated with their service will make international transfers more efficient, and companies will get special conditions.

http://fintechist.com/bitwala-makes-bitcoin-attractive-businesses/

Is there a Neosurf Voucher store near your place? If so, would you use this solution to buy or gift Bitcoin?

Popular Bitcoin service BitIt has introduced a new feature that will let users in various countries purchase digital currency in over 100,000 local stores. Not only will this new feature make it easier to give and receive Bitcoin in general, but it also creates opportunities to obtain digital currency gift vouchers for friends and family members. Buying Bitcoin over the counter is becoming incredibly easy thanks to these Neosurf vouchers.

http://bitcoinist.net/buy-bitcoin-over-the-counter-with-neosurf-vouchers-and-bitit/

Will Mizuho Bank face criminal charges for aiding Mark Karpeles in your opinion?

An interesting development is taking place in the infamous Mt. Gox lawsuit, as Mizuho Bank has been accused of not revealing the full extent of the problems faced by Mt. Gox from American depositors. Mizuho Bank had claimed it would be too difficult for their lawyers to handle the Bitcoin exchange case outside of Japan and tried to shed off any responsibility due to the alleged lack of jurisdiction. But what does this mean for affected Mt. Gox users?

http://bitcoinist.net/mizuho-bank-faces-class-action-lawsuit-over-mt-gox-involvement/

Do you see the need for Bitcoin Node owners to be paid from the block reward, or is there a different solution?

Throughout the years, there has been a lot of discussion on whether or not people should receive an incentive for supporting the Bitcoin network by running a full node. Even though there is no need to reward people for these steps, new ideas to change that situation keep popping up now and then. One particular Reddit user would take a page out of DASH’s book and pay up to 45% of the block reward to node operators. Such an idea would never be viable, though, as it would ultimately lead to centralization.

http://themerkle.com/proposal-to-give-45-of-block-reward-to-bitcoin-node-operators-is-silly/

Which of these features excites you, if any? Or what would you like to see in the future?

The future of Bitcoin will heavily depend on the future development of the Bitcoin technology and how the currency side of things will play out. While most people currently focus on the block size, there are plenty of things on the horizon for Bitcoin users which are worth getting excited about. Whether those Bitcoin features comes in the form of smart contracts, issuing new assets, notary services, or creating digital identities, all of it will be possible with Bitcoin at some point.

https://news.bitcoin.com/five-bitcoin-features-excited-about/

What are your thoughts on this Bitcoin ransomware attack wave?

Various major online media outlets are currently spreading Bitcoin ransomware and other types of malware to website visitors. Among the culprits are AOL, BBC, and The New York Times, as their common ad network has come under attack by internet criminals by the look of things. Affected users may found themselves on the other side of a screen displaying a Bitcoin ransomware message very soon, and the number of potential infections is increasing every minute.

http://themerkle.com/infected-ad-networks-are-spreading-bitcoin-ransomware/

Will be ordering from this site soon to do a comparison review with DutyFree

Have you ever used Bitcoin on the Microsoft Store? Why (not)?

There was a fair bit of confusion over the past few days when news broke regarding the Microsoft Store no longer accepting Bitcoin payments for an unknown reason. Many mainstream media outlets reported on the issue, but it looks like the whole story was just one big misunderstanding. Microsoft has no plans to drop Bitcoin support anytime soon, as the information provided by their Store was posted inadvertently.

http://fintechist.com/microsoft-store-continues-accept-bitcoin-confusing-reports/