Cryptocurrency

Goldman Begins Trading on JPMorgan’s Repo Blockchain Network

Published

3 years ago

June 23, 2021

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. has joined the blockchain-based network created by JPMorgan Chase & Co. for repurchase agreements that use smart contracts and a digitized version of the U.S. dollar.

Its first trade came on June 17, when it swapped a tokenized version of a U.S. Treasury bond for JPMCoin, JPMorgan’s internal representation of a digital dollar, according to Mathew McDermott, global head of digital assets for Goldman’s global markets division. He declined to give the value of the trade.

“We see this as a pivotal moment for the digitization of transactional activity,” McDermott said Tuesday in an interview. Unlike in the traditional repo market, the exact amount of time the banks took to complete the transaction was quantifiable. In this case, it was 3 hours and 5 minutes.

Knowing the precise time is a big step up from the current market, as is the way the collateral and cash are interchanged simultaneously and immediately, McDermott said.

“We pay interest per minute,” he said. “We firmly think this will change the nature of the intraday marketplace.”

JPMorgan created the new repo market using its version of the Ethereum blockchain, with its first trades in December. It has since gone on to trade more than $1 billion a day through its Onyx blockchain platform.

The firm is speaking with more than 10 banking and investing clients about joining the repo network, according to spokeswoman Jessica Francisco. Bank of New York Mellon Corp. served as the custody agent for the trades.

Transactions in the $2.4 trillion repo market raise cash overnight or for a few days, but are difficult to arrange within the same trading day. The digitized upgrade provides that ability to JPMorgan, using so-called smart contracts on an Ethereum-based blockchain that allow cash and Treasuries to be returned instantaneously.

Wall Street began experimenting with blockchain about five years ago. In addition to JPMorgan, a blockchain pioneer among Wall Street banks, Paxos Trust Co. is using it to settle some equity trades in near-real-time. Arca is offering digital shares in a U.S. Treasury fund, showing that distributed-ledger technology can help streamline finance.

McDermott said Goldman Sachs’s participation in the JPMorgan market fits in broadly with how it’s thinking about enterprise blockchain, a system where all participants are known to one another.

“There’s the growing focus on the potential of this technology,” he said. Then he added something rarely heard from rival bankers: “It’s been great working with JPMorgan and BNY on this.”

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Cryptocurrency

SEC Director General Lauds KuCoin’s Action, Urges Compliance with National Guidelines

Published

2 days ago

May 17, 2024

Samed Olukoya

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Director General, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, has commended KuCoin, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange platform, for its proactive measures to delist the Nigerian naira (NGN) from its trading options.

This move aligns with recent directives aimed at safeguarding the nation’s economic interests and combating illicit financial activities.

In an official statement released by the SEC on Thursday, Dr. Agama expressed satisfaction with KuCoin’s decision to suspend peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions involving the Nigerian currency.

This decision comes as part of KuCoin’s ongoing efforts to adjust its platform to comply with regulatory directives issued by the Office of the National Security Adviser and the SEC.

The SEC’s stance underscores a broader initiative by Nigerian authorities to address concerns related to foreign exchange manipulation and safeguard the integrity of the nation’s financial system.

Dr. Agama emphasized the importance of adherence to established guidelines, emphasizing that regulatory compliance is essential for maintaining national security and economic stability.

The delisting of the naira by KuCoin follows similar actions taken by other cryptocurrency exchanges, including Binance, in response to regulatory scrutiny from Nigerian authorities. These measures signal a concerted effort within the crypto industry to cooperate with regulatory agencies and promote responsible trading practices.

Peer-to-peer cryptocurrency trading platforms have come under increased scrutiny due to their potential for facilitating illicit financial activities, including money laundering and fraud. By delisting the naira and suspending related trading activities, KuCoin demonstrates its commitment to upholding regulatory standards and fostering a secure trading environment for users.

Dr. Agama reiterated the SEC’s commitment to collaborating with stakeholders, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to address challenges within the cryptocurrency space and combat financial crimes effectively.

He emphasized the importance of regulatory cooperation in tackling illicit trading practices and maintaining investor confidence in the market.

Furthermore, Dr. Agama highlighted the SEC’s ongoing efforts to implement the Revised Capital Market Master Plan, aimed at enhancing the resilience and competitiveness of Nigeria’s capital market.

He highlighted the potential of the capital market to drive economic growth and attract foreign investment, emphasizing the need for regulatory measures to protect investors and promote market integrity.

In response to Dr. Agama’s comments, the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to combatting financial crimes and emphasized the importance of regulatory collaboration in addressing emerging challenges.

He commended the SEC’s efforts to enforce regulatory compliance within the cryptocurrency sector and pledged the EFCC’s support in safeguarding Nigeria’s financial interests.

Cryptocurrency

KuCoin Announces Temporary Pause on NGN Services to Prioritize Compliance

Published

4 days ago

May 15, 2024

Samed Olukoya

KuCoin, one of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges globally, has announced a temporary pause on its P2P Nigerian Naira (NGN) services and Fast Buy service via Naira cards.

This move, set to commence from 2024-05-15 08:00 (UTC), aims to prioritize compliance measures within the platform.

In a message addressed to its valued users, KuCoin expressed its dedication to providing a robust and secure trading environment.

The temporary suspension of NGN services is part of the exchange’s commitment to accelerating the compliance process.

During this period, ongoing orders will be completed normally, and all other services on the platform will remain available.

KuCoin assured its users that their assets are safe and secure on the exchange. While acknowledging that adjustments might be required in trading preferences, KuCoin explained that this decision is a step toward enhancing the overall trading experience for its users.

The exchange reiterated its focus on compliance and creating a secure environment for all users. KuCoin aims to resolve the compliance-related matters swiftly and efficiently to ensure a seamless transition back to full functionality of NGN services.

The decision to temporarily suspend NGN services underscores KuCoin’s proactive approach to regulatory compliance, reflecting its commitment to maintaining transparency and trust within the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

KuCoin expressed gratitude for the understanding and cooperation of its users during this period of change.

Cryptocurrency

Crypto Exchange Giant Coinbase Grinds to a Halt in System Meltdown

Published

6 days ago

May 14, 2024

Samed Olukoya

One of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, Coinbase, has been plunged into chaos as it experienced a catastrophic system-wide outage, leaving traders and investors stranded and unable to access their accounts.

The disruption, which commenced at 4:15 am UTC on May 14, has rendered both the desktop and mobile platforms of Coinbase completely unusable.

Users attempting to access the exchange are greeted with a frustrating “503 Service Temporarily Unavailable” error message, indicative of the severity of the situation.

Coinbase, known for its reliability and user-friendly interface, has been a cornerstone of the cryptocurrency market for years.

However, this unprecedented outage has shaken the confidence of countless traders who rely on the platform for their daily transactions and investments.

Coinbase swiftly notified its user base of the issue through its official status page, acknowledging the severity of the problem and assuring customers that their funds remain secure.

The exchange’s support team took to social media to disseminate updates, pledging to investigate the issue and work tirelessly to find a resolution.

This isn’t the first time Coinbase has faced technical difficulties during periods of heightened market activity.

Just months prior, on February 28, the exchange experienced temporary outages alongside several other platforms amidst a frenzy of trading activity during a Bitcoin flash crash. Such incidents highlight the strain that surges in traffic can place on even the most robust of systems.

While outages like these are undeniably frustrating for users, they often spark speculation within the crypto community.

Some enthusiasts view these disruptions as a bullish sign, interpreting the influx of traffic and subsequent downtime as indicators of growing interest and adoption in the cryptocurrency space.