From PayPal’s new crypto initiative to the ongoing burst of Bitcoin whale activity, here’s a look at some of the stories breaking in the world of crypto.
PayPal and Crypto
PayPal has reportedly launched a new internal crypto platform designed to teach its employees about token economics.
As reported by Cheddar, the blockchain-based platform allows employees to earn tokens by engaging in company initiatives.
“Employees can access their tokens through the company’s internal website and continue earning more by participating in innovation-related programs and contributing ideas. The tokens, which hold no value outside of PayPal’s walls, are also tradable among employees with each transaction being posted to, effectively, a ‘public ledger.’
…PayPal’s tokens are redeemable for more than 100 ‘experiences’ offered on the platform, including poker tournaments with a couple of their vice presidents, a trail run and coffee with CFO John Rainey, and morning martial arts with CEO Dan Schulman. Gabrielle Scheibe Rabinovitch, the company’s head of investor relations, has offered to let employees borrow her dog for a day, Todasco said.”
Bitcoin
A burst of Bitcoin whale activity continues. Some of the oldest and richest BTC addresses in existence have transferred a total of more than 424,000 BTC – worth more than $1.4 billion – to new wallet addresses.
Here’s a look at 11 noteworthy transactions, as tracked by Whale Watch.
• Transaction 1
• Transaction 2
• Transaction 3
• Transaction 4
• Transaction 5
• Transaction 6
• Transaction 7
• Transaction 8
• Transaction 9
• Transaction 10
• Transaction 11
None of the crypto has been moved to an exchange, leading to speculation that the wallets could be linked to a large company like Coinbase, that’s moving its assets around for security.
Ripple
Ripple’s chief market strategist Cory Johnson joined a panel on BEFAST TV to discuss where blockchain technology is heading.
Johnson talked about the company’s efforts to push adoption of its cross-border payment solutions and its initiative Xpring, which is designed to boost companies developing on XRP.
Leading cryptocurrency exchange Binance is launching six new trading pairs on Friday.
The exchange is pairing Bitcoin, XRP, Ethereum, EOS, Stellar, Binance Coin with the TrueUSD, a blockchain-based stablecoin pegged to the US dollar.
VeChain
VeChain says it’s working with a historic tea manufacturer in Japan to give customers a new way to verify the authenticity of their purchase.
“By utilizing an advanced traceability and IoT solution, Fuji MARUMO Tea’a customers are able to verify the origin of their tea products by using a smartphone to read the NFC chips embedded on the package.”
The tea company is starting with a trial of VeChain’s technology, implemented into 100 limited edition packages of its products. The trial is a proof of concept for a “larger partnership that will be implemented upon completion.”
Litecoin
Crypto hodlers can now buy the new HTC Exodus smartphone with Litecoin. The phone was previously available only for Bitcoin and Ethereum.