What has been happening around Blockchain Technology and Cryptocurrencies this week? The most relevant local and international developments as well as appealing background reports in a pointed and compact weekly review.
Selected articles of the week:
Circle, the issuer of the second largest stablecoin USDC, has been aiming for an IPO for some time. Another $400 million funding round and a comprehensive partnership with the world’s largest asset manager are expected to make those plans a reality. As part of the cooperation, BlackRock is evaluating capital market applications for USDC and will manage the stablecoin’s cash reserves.
BlackRock enters into a strategic partnership with USDC issuer Circle to pave their growth on the path to an IPO.
The democrats are divided about whether the Biden administration or the congress should be directly involved in regulating stablecoins. There is agreement on the need for uniform regulations, but there is disagreement about whether dollar-stablecoins should fall under the existing regulations or whether new regulations are necessary.
The U.S. government remains divided on the issue of stablecoin regulation, particularly the Democratic administration under Biden.
In the eyes of many investors, cryptocurrencies and digital assets have become an asset class on their own. The portfolio comparison for portfolios with and without bitcoin inclusion clarifies the relevance of a crypto allocation and significantly improves relevant portfolio key figures.
Digital assets have increasingly evolved into an asset class of their own in recent years. A thorough comparison in a portfolio context.
The French game developer Ubisoft is a key investor in a crypto-focused risk capital fund by White Star Capital. With this, Ubisoft wants to get involved in the blockchain industry and speed up their plans around crypto gaming. The first experiment already took place and despite some negative reactions from players, Ubisoft is continuing their plans.
Ubisoft is looking to accelerate their blockchain and NFT-based video game plans by investing in another crypto fund.
The current demand for talent in the blockchain and crypto industry is unprecedented, however the pool of qualified Swiss candidates is limited. While degree programs and continuing education are being greatly expanded, there is a lack of opportunities to complete basic training in this field. Cryptix is another company from the Crypto Valley trying its hand at blockchain apprenticeships.
Cryptix is implementing a blockchain apprenticeship and will be one of the only companies in Switzerland to offer crypto education.