“Gemini To Apply For a Broker-dealer License”
The Winklevoss-owned cryptocurrency exchange Gemini will apply for a broker-dealer license from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), CoinDesk has learned. This is the first step toward becoming an approved Alternative Trading System, where customers can lawfully swap digital securities. Gemini previously partnered with the tokenized securities platform Harbor, which allows institutional investors to buy securities with Gemini’s GUSD stablecoin and to also receive dollar-denominated dividends via GUSD. It stands to reason that Gemini would also want to facilitate the trading of such
securities on its own platform.
“Over 100 Libra-related Fake Domains Registered”
Cyber threat intelligence firm Digital Shadows has discovered over 100 fake domains registered relating to Facebook’s forthcoming stablecoin Libra, the Independent reported on July 1. As of June 19, researchers at Digital Shadows had found over 100 domains registered relating to Libra and several dozen referring to the associated digital wallet Calibra, with some of them containing malicious content. The firm divided the websites into two groups — those impersonating Libra’s official website,
and those promoting scams.
“Crypto Data Center In Colorado Comes Under Scrutiny”
A planned cryptocurrency data center in Colorado is being criticized because it will potentially violate local renewable energy goals. The center is expected to cost some $100M. AX2 Data Centers is constructing a new data center in Pueblo, Colorado, expected to be finished by the end of 2019. However, the idea is coming under fire from locals for not matching sustainable energy standards. The company reached a deal with the state exchanging energy subsidies with a promise to create jobs. Last year, the state passed a law that allowed companies to have discounted electricity if they promised
to create “economic development.”
“Russia Won’t Ban Facebook’s Libra”
According to local reports, Russia will not go out of its way to ban Libra, a crypto asset created by the Libra Association, an international consortium started by Facebook. Alexei Moisseev, the deputy finance minister of Russia, told publications that a legislative framework for crypto assets will soon be formed and Libra is likely to fall under it. For many years, analysts anticipated Russia to release a regulatory framework for crypto assets and blockchain-related entities following the order of Russian President Vladimir Putin in February to adopt regulations for the crypto sector. Further, Moisseev’s statement directly contradicts a recent state press report that
suggested Libra will be outlawed.