MIT Develops “Spider” Technology, Enabling More Efficient Off-Chain Crypto Transactions
CoinDesk | February 3, 2020 Researchers at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) have co-developed a “Spider” crypto routing technology which can avoid congestion on off-chain cryptocurrency payments networks. The technology utilizes “layer 2” scaling solutions like bitcoin’s lightning network. |
Weiss Ratings: Halvings “Absolutely” Help Bitcoin PriceCoinTelegraph | February 1, 2020 The rating agency Weiss Ratings has suggested that bitcoin halvings establish price floors and “absolutely” help its price. Using historical halvings as a guide, Weiss suggests that the upcoming May 2020 halving should help draw its price closer to $12,000 USD. “The only question now is how high will BTC go this time around?” said Weiss in a Tweet. |
Crypto Hedge Funds Outperformed Traditional Hedge Funds in 2019Decrypt | February 3, 2020 According to data from EurekaHedge and Financial Times, crypto hedge funds saw returns of 16.33% in 2019, while traditional hedge funds only saw returns of 10.4%. Institutional investors could be becoming increasingly drawn to cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin as it has higher returns on a 1, 3, and 10-year basis than any other asset class. |
Bitcoin Usage Among Consumers and Merchants Increased in 2019CoinDesk | February 3, 2020 Both BitPay and Coinbase Commerce have reported that bitcoin usage among merchants increased greatly in 2019. Another report from Chainalysis estimates that some $4 billion USD of bitcoin was sent through consumer-facing merchants in 2019. Despite increases, many consumers continue to hold their bitcoin instead of spending it for good and services. |
Canadian Government Chooses Mavennet, Peer Ledge for On-Chain Steel Tracking PlatformConstruct Connect | January 28, 2020 Both Toronto-based Mavennet and Halifax-based Peer Ledger have received a contract from the Canadian government to develop a steel tracking platform which utilizes the blockchain. Both companies will receive allocations of $150,000 CAD through Innovative Solutions Canada, with increases of up to $1 million CAD over two years to continue the project. |