LATEST: Dubai’s Major Bank NBD Now Offering Bitcoin and Crypto Services

Emirates NBD a major bank owned by the Dubai government has unveiled a groundbreaking move in the financial technology sector with the launch of Liv X its new mobile banking app dedicated to cryptocurrency trading. This innovative platform is leveraging the technical prowess of Aquanow a digital asset platform licensed by Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).

Dubai has been strategically positioning itself as a global center for cryptocurrency aligning with its vision to pioneer economic innovation. The region’s clear regulatory frameworks have attracted major exchanges like Binance Crypto.com and OKX which have all secured approvals to operate within this vibrant crypto hub.

In a significant collaboration Liv will utilize the infrastructure of Aquanow for its cryptocurrency transactions while Zodia a venture backed by Standard Chartered will provide crucial custody services. This move underscores Dubai’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology within its banking sector setting a robust example for global financial systems.

Bloomberg

Brazilian Publicly Traded Méliuz Adopts Bitcoin Treasury Strategy

Brazilian fintech company Méliuz announced Thursday it had allocated 10% of its cash reserves into bitcoin, becoming the first publicly traded firm in the country to adopt a bitcoin treasury strategy.

Méliuz invested $4.1 million to acquire 45.72 bitcoins at an average price of $90,926 per coin. The purchase represents roughly 10% of the company’s total cash holdings based on a new policy approved by its board of directors.

In a statement, Méliuz said the bitcoin allocation seeks “long-term returns” on the investment as part of its treasury management. The company also created a Bitcoin Strategic Committee to study expanding its strategy and making bitcoin a primary…

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Exclusive: Seismic raises $7M in round led by a16z Crypto

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Here’s a fun exclusive for you this morning: Seismic, an encrypted blockchain, raised $7 million in a round led by a16z Crypto, with participation from Polychain, Alliance and 1kx, among others. 

This was the first fundraising effort for founder Lyron Co Ting Keh, given that Seismic was his first startup. The idea, he said, came from wanting to start his own company. 

As he spoke to various app developers, it became clear that “you need encryption to be in the foundation of the chain and not just built onto it. And so we tried for many months to build on it, on the chain, but we couldn’t…

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LATEST: Charles Hoskinson Clueless About ADA’s Selection for US Reserve

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has not been invited to the upcoming White House Crypto Summit set for March 7 even though ADA token is included in President Trump’s crypto reserve proposal. His exclusion has raised eyebrows across the cryptocurrency community. Hoskinson revealed his non-invite status in a recent broadcast stressing that real policy impact does not hinge on such events but rather through sustained legislative efforts.

Despite his absence notable crypto figures like Michael Saylor Brian Armstrong Arjun Sethi and Vlad Tenev are confirmed attendees. Hoskinson continues to advocate for regulatory clarity engaging with lawmakers to influence legislation related to stablecoins and market structures.

Shockingly ADA’s inclusion in the proposed crypto reserve was unknown to Hoskinson until recently. He was bombarded with congratulatory messages last Sunday morning oblivious to ADA’s selection which underscores the surprising and significant role Cardano is poised to play in shaping U.S. cryptocurrency strategy.

Broadcast

LATEST: New Hampshire House Committee Passes Bitcoin Bill with Strong Support

New Hampshire House committee overwhelmingly passed the Bitcoin reserve bill with a 16-1 vote on March 5. The bill now heads to the House floor for a full vote positioning New Hampshire alongside states like North Carolina Oklahoma and Texas awaiting similar decisions. The House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee’s approval marks a significant step for House Bill 302 which could allow the state treasurer to invest in digital assets and precious metals.

Authored by Republican Keith Ammon and co-sponsored by Democrats Chris McAleer and Carry Spier the bill specifies investments up to 5% of various state funds into eligible digital assets. Bitcoin currently stands as the primary candidate under this bill due to its substantial market capitalization over the past year. Additionally the bill would enable investments in gold silver and platinum providing a diversified investment approach.

During the committee session Keith Ammon highlighted modifications to the bill including the exclusion of stablecoins and staking options. New Hampshire’s Treasurer Monica Mezzapelle has shown interest in utilizing this new investment opportunity should the bill pass which signals a progressive shift towards integrating cryptocurrency into state-level financial strategies.

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