Christine Lagarde, head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), praised Bitcoin in an official blog post and suggested that cryptocurrencies like it could have real global benefits.

Lagarde claims that not only could Bitcoin enable fast and inexpensive transactions, but the underlying technology behind cryptocurrencies, blockchain, could make financial markets safer.

She wrote, “Just as a few technologies that emerged from the dot-com era have transformed our lives, the crypto assets that survive could have a significant impact on how we save, invest and pay our bills.”

To read more: http://bitcoinnews.com/imf-chief-gives-bitcoin-nod-approval/

One of the earliest Bitcoin developers, Mike Hearn, held an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on Reddit earlier today. Among other responses to the public AMA session, Hearn felt that Bitcoin Cash (BCH) was “nowhere near radical enough” as an alternative to Bitcoin. He further recommended that challengers to the world’s most used cryptocurrency “be willing to think radical, even heretical thoughts.”.

Hearn also expressed “alarm” at Bitcoin Cash’s planned hard fork, cautioning against a move without any “attempt to measure support or whether people are ready or even agree”.

Nevertheless, the former Bitcoin developer said that both Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash held some interest for him. He said, “Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash show that disagreements can be ongoing and coexistent…  I’m interested enough to support (hold both coins) through the hardfork and still today.”.

To read more: http://bitcoinnews.com/bitcoin-ex-dev-mike-hearn-says-bitcoin-cash-nowhere-near-radical-enough/

First crypto ads, now crypto mining.

American multinational technology company Google has announced plans to have all cryptocurrency mining extensions on Chrome removed by June 2018.

The written statement released on 2 April cites the reasoning for this action as non-compliance from developers with Google's service standards. The statement notes a recent rise in ''malicious extensions'' that appear functional but run unauthorized cryptocurrency mining scripts unbeknown to the user.

To read more: http://bitcoinnews.com/google-implement-complete-ban-chrome-mining-extensions/

Some people call her cypherpunk, others call her a suit.

Amber Baldet, the face of JPMorgan's corporate blockchain project Quorum and former head at the bank's Blockchain Center of Excellence, has stepped down from her post. Baldet is reportedly seeking to head up her own blockchain startup, after having set the direction for much of JPMorgan's blockchain ventures.

According to Fortune, a JPMorgan spokesperson confirmed Baldet's resignation, adding in a statement that "We respect her desire to start her own venture and we wish her nothing but the best.”.

To read more: http://bitcoinnews.com/amber-baldet-steps-jpmorgan-pursues-startup/

Malaysian budget airlines Air Asia has announced that it is about to launch a cryptocurrency-based frequent-flyer rewards program.

Air Asia head Tony Fernandes claims that cryptocurrencies will play "an important role in the South East Asian economy" as the region is home to millions of overseas workers who send billions of dollars across borders.

To read more: http://bitcoinnews.com/crypto-rewards-program-boost-air-asia-service/

The Chinese government has just scrapped its blockchain funding center, insisting on regulations before going forward with anything blockchain.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has called for domestic regulation as part of an effort to foster the development of the technology. The CCP's official media made clear that the government's stance is to integrate blockchain technology, while also warning of illicit activities that come with it.

To read more:
http://bitcoinnews.com/china-scraps-blockchain-funding-center/

Absolutely ridiculous to even be in a position to consider a ban. I'm really surprised a nordic bank has taken this stance, especially when Nordic countries were among the first to migrate to digital money and already lead the world's charge towards paperless currency. Blockchain based currencies is only a further step forward here. Perhaps there is a back story no one is aware of, perhaps even something that involves the "whistleblower".

It sounds like someone just had some backroom drama and it escalated thanks to intervention from clueless management.

I remember reading a time ago about Paypal had at first received Bitcoin very well, many years ago, and it was heralded as the start of mainstream adoption for the general users of digital money. And then, for some reason I cannot research well enough, Paypal dropped Bitcoin. And I believe today, it is no longer accepted as proper currency and Paypal users keep getting banned for using Paypal to trade Bitcoin.

I know Peter Thiel no longer says for Paypal but I wonder if he had anything to do with any of this history?

The Republic of Estonia’s e-Residency programme, a government initiative that aims allows global citizens to register and run an EU-company online, has announced plans to launch crypto token “estcoin” by launching an initial coin offering (ICO).

It will be the first national ICO launched by a government, and has come despite ECB president earlier saying there is only the Euro.

Read more: https://cryptocoin.news/news/altcoin/estonia-govt-to-defy-eu-central-bank-with-worlds-first-national-ico-4810/

Impressive statistics, but would you readily admit that you were lucky rather than skilful in trading? I only say this because you recorded a 900% profit on trading, but if I had invested in Bitcoin in January, I would also have made almost 900% profit now.

Advice from a stranger: don't push your luck, realize some profits and you'll be happier for longer.

Still available - if you didn't get a reply, you didn't qualify. Yes, 1k followers/subscribers is the minimum.

Jobs are still available. Youtubers/Reddit/Steemians especially required. Please be aware of minimum requirements of followers/subscribers (1,000).

As stated in OP, yes.

Thanks for your interest. Unfortunately, we are already listed on a lot of sites like yours (ICO listings) and, as mentioned, this campaign is targeted at bloggers with a personal audience.

Thanks for your interest. Unfortunately, we already have a separate campaign for dedicated portals like yours. This campaign is targeted at bloggers who have a personal connection with a following audience as we desire organic interest.

Your website anyway seems to be geared towards gambling, so it would be unsuitable for our needs.

Unfortunately, yes, these are the minimum requirements. However, if you feel your writing quality is up to par, feel free to apply by email. You may send details of your account for us to review. We have already had 4 applicants, but only accepted 2.

Language quality is important, but not as much as originality and clarity. We want to raise awareness of the project in an interesting way, not simply market it like a car salesman.

Hi there!

I am the PR manager for a project that is about to embark on a crowdsale via an ICO. It is an extension of a physical project in industrial agriculture, with more than $10m already invested by its owners. However, a lot more financial strength will be needed, hence a simple tokenized model for fundraising and future profit distribution via the ICO.

I am reaching out to crypto specialists like yourself as part of a awareness campaign blitz that we have launched, running up to the main ICO on November 15, 2017. The main objectives of this campaign will be to raise the project's profile among the crypto community, encourage discussion and of course to promote the public fundraising for the project through a crowdsale of its tokens in the coming month-long ICO.

The offer
The proposal is simple: we would like you to create an initial Youtube video/Reddit post/Steemit post in good English. You do not need to be a native speaker, simply that your language must be clear and engaging.

This post/video can be a review of the project or ICO, or can be your own introduction of what the project is.

We can offer a payment from 0.01 to 0.05 BTC, depending on the following criteria:
1. Quality of post/video, including aesthetics.
2. Quality of language.
2. # of followers/subscribers/karma.

As a general guide, we will pay 0.01 for 1k-4.9k followers, 0.02 for 5k to 9.9k, 0.03 for 10k to 19.9k, 0.04 for 20k to 39.9k, 0.05 for 40k and up, provided quality requirements are met. We will consider a higher rate if the quality of material exceeds our expectations.

Should we accept and pay for your initial post/video, we will invite you to continue making posts/videos daily up to the launch of our ICO, and possibly beyond. Currently, this is a campaign of at least 19 posts/videos at the same payment rate each. That's a potential of 0.19 to 0.95 BTC for a single daily post for 19 consecutive days.

More information
To apply, simply email us at PR-Person@gmx.com with the following:

1. Your platform details, including # of followers.
2. A sample of your work.

If we accept, we will reply via email, providing you information to make your initial post with our initial offer. Payment will be made upon review and acceptance of the initial post. The same will apply should we continue to engage your services.


Notes
1. We will not use escrow. Once you reach out, you will be provided with our information. You will see clearly that we are a serious project and cannot afford to ruin our reputation with so much at stake.
2. We will pay fairly. We are aware of what average bounties are and ours is potentially above average at today's Bitcoin prices - for the right qualifying actions from you.
3. If we do not get back to you, you probably didn't make the cut.
4. This is a self-moderated thread. We will delete pointless, unhelpful comments.
5. More information via email. So do apply!

Thank you for your time.