Swiss University Accepts Cryptocurrency for Tuition

Bitcoin’s adoption keeps breaking boundaries as houses, expensive art, and now university tuition can be paid with the digital currency. As a sign of general acceptance, this must rank pretty high, as universities are places where the newly educated are learning.

Swiss Bitcoin haven

Switzerland has already shown itself to be a popular choice for Blockchain, digital currencies, and all things crypto as many individuals, as well as the government, embrace the technology.

Now, certain universities are adopting the payment method of Bitcoin for tuition, albeit with a few caveats. The Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Switzerland announced the decision to accept Bitcoin payments.

The university has identified that Bitcoin is on the cutting edge of new technologies, and seemingly appreciates the direction in which cryptocurrency is heading.

“Its [Bitcoin’s] ability to disseminate knowledge on cutting-edge technologies such as Blockchain, as well as its desire to gain experience in the practical aspects of this novel area,” the University said.

Considering the type of university that Lucerne is, it makes sense that they would be one of the groundbreakers for Bitcoin. There’s a strong focus on financing and economics, as well as liberal subjects <Continue Reading>

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More Attempts to Bring E-Commerce to World’s Two Billion Unbanked

Taking e-commerce to the unbanked seems to be getting easier as the number of merchants embracing cryptocurrencies is increasing. From Overstock to Steam, Newegg to Edeka, many merchants are changing buyers’ user experience globally by leveraging the ease-of-use of digital currency.

This is partially fueled by an increase in the number of vendors registering with BitPay. That service allows merchants to accept Bitcoin but immediately be credited with cash rather than having to deal with the volatile digital currency themselves.

Things are improving on the consumer side too, with the increasing number of crypto-based debit cards. These make it possible to spend digital currency in the virtual shops of merchants who don’t directly accept it, by automatically converting a user’s cryptocurrency balance to fiat and using that to pay vendors.

In this environment, there are startups seeking to make things even easier and cheaper, eliminating as many middlemen as possible from digital currency transactions. So far, the introduction of crypto-backed debit cards has been pioneered by companies such as TenX and Monaco and it has changed several new users’ perspective about how easy to access digital currencies for everyday use.

More Attempts to Bring E-Commerce to World’s Two Billion Unbanked

Both Monaco and TenX make crypto spending easier for customers by offering a multi-currency debit card. Instead of a Bitcoin debit card, a Dash debit card, and so forth, both Monaco and TenX allow users to deposit various cryptocurrencies and access them with one single debit card. When it comes time to make a purchase, the <Read More>

Bitcoin’s Journey Toward Mainstream Acceptance Has Begun

Though Bitcoin was created eight years ago, the currency is just starting to attract largescale mainstream attention. The digital currency uses Blockchain technology for a safer and more efficient way of transacting online without the use of banks or credit cards.

In an interview by PBS, Don Tapscott discusses potential uses of Blockchain technology. Tapscott is the co-author of the book entitled “Blockchain Revolution: How the Technology Behind Bitcoin Is Changing Money, Business, and the World.” Watch the interview below:

Pundits and investing professionals have called Bitcoin a bubble, since the price has increased an unbelievable 700% over the past year. While many wonder if such growth is sustainable, Tapscott explains that the technology that powers Bitcoin is so transformative as to render the question moot.

Indeed, with the rapid growth of Bitcoin, the days of bankers may be numbered. Digital currency disintermediates banks, provides services to the unbanked and is more secure.  Now you can join bitcoin’s journey toward mainstream acceptance.

Disintermediation

Traditional banking has seen fees grow steadily over the year, to the point where they make up about 40% of the average bank’s income, according to CNBC. Blockchain technology’s promise is simple: cut out the middleman (along with their exorbitant fees) and help secure financial transactions through a distributed ledger system. This results in fully decentralized transactions with relatively low fees. <Read More>

 

How Bitcoin Rescued Victims of Hurricane Harvey

The International Cherch of Blerk, a registered crypto-based 501(c)(3), and recognized religion, is revolutionizing peer to peer charitable works. They are using crypto currency to target aid where it’s needed most.

Hurricane Harvey

After Huricane Harvey struck South Texas, Cherch of Blerk Executive Director Jason Seibert, along with Blerk Medical Director, Dr. Rhiana Ireland, loaded up a truck with a chainsaw, generator, fuel, water and coffee and drove as far into the storm as they could. They finally arrived in Bay City, Texas in the heart of hard-hit Matagorda County after dodging tornadoes and plowing through pouring rain.

In the following days, Seibert and Ireland coordinated the creation of several shelters in the Galveston County area.

Dr. Ireland was recognized nationally for her life saving efforts in JEMS (the Journal of Emergency Medicine). Seibert implemented infectious disease control protocols in food service and meal plans, ran a makeshift kitchen, and produced nearly 12,000 meals for four shelters. Blerk ran all the efforts, advising local officials on how to proceed and how to create new shelters. Blerk even ran medical supplies between shelters as the Red Cross was nowhere to be found.

Bitcoin to the rescue

While running supplies, Blerk’s trucks died. With only a few hours’ notice, Blerk found a truck on the north side of Houston, however, wire transfer of funds was not possible due to the limitations of banks and the time of day. Relying on banks would mean that Blerk would have no transportation for five days..

Jason Seibert contacted Robert Gonzalez, founder of the over the counter (OTC) trading company UTXO, LLC. Gonzalez collaborated with Jesse Wilkinson, a well-known OTC trader in Dallas/Fort Worth area, for a solution. Jason liquidated personal crypto assets <Read More>

Bitcoin Meets Mainstream Property In $330 Mln BitPay Dubai Deal

A British baroness and asset management conglomerate Knox Group have partnered with BitPay to offer luxury Dubai property for Bitcoin.

The three-way venture will see 1,133 apartments on offer by 2019 worth around $330 mln, with the first 150 for sale at a 20 percent discount.

Mirroring ICOs

This represents the first time anyone can purchase property directly from a developer with Bitcoin, an accompanying press release states, and aspects of the sale are deliberately “mirroring” ICO executions.

“I wanted to offer the property, tech and Blockchain community an […] opportunity by merging the property and tech sectors together in a true first for the industry,” Knox Group chairman Douglas Barrowman commented.

Bitcoin’s meteoric rise in a few short years means it’s now the world’s leading cryptocurrency.” <Read More>

Suddenly, Bitcoin Breaks into UK Housing Market as Down Payment

It is a first for the UK that Bitcoin can now be used as a down payment in the property market. Co-living pioneer The Collective have announced that they will be accepting the digital currency as a deposit from prospective tenants.

They are also eyeing out rental payments in Bitcoin, but that will only be implemented later in the year.

It is the first time a UK property developer has opened its doors on the famous digital currency, stating that the demand actually came mostly from international customers.

The Old Oak

The Collective’s online booking form for its Old Oak living scheme, an ambitious co-living development with 550 rooms, will be accepting Bitcoin as a deposit on <Read More>

Number of Bitcoin ATMs Will Increase in Australia from 20 to 500

Australia could gain up to 500 two-way Bitcoin ATMs following a partnership between two native fintech firms.

Under the deal between Stargroup and Digital X, bespoke ATM software will run in tandem with a special API to ‘retrofit’ Stargroup’s standard ATMs with Bitcoin purchase and sales functionality.

Once complete, a full roll-out would see the number of Bitcoin ATMs increase in multiples from the current nationwide total of just 20 machines.

“This development may also be able to be applied to other cryptocurrencies and be distributed internationally,” Stargroup’s CEO Todd Zani said in an accompanying press release.

Australia has been comparatively quiet in the ATM sector until now. In the US, competition has heated up among manufacturers aiming to corner the market with roll-outs of dozens of machines across the country this year.

The move marks a show of confidence from <Read More>

Cryptocurrency Hedge Funds Drive New Satoshi Cycles

The number of hedge funds with investments in cryptocurrencies has jumped massively in recent months. Reports of as many as 70 new hedge funds with cryptocurrency positions has led to an investor rush.

This number has continued to grow, increasing the availability for institutional-level investment in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. A recent report by Quartz.com indicates that this trend is continuing, as investors seek better returns from hedge funds, as the recent returns from these funds have been lower than the indexed S&P 500.

Hedge fund = price growth

The increase in hedge fund participation has coincided with a substantial increase in Bitcoin price, edging close to $5,000 in recent trading. This jump, predicted by many industry insiders, has been led by increasing mainstream participation in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. The article made it clear that the increasing investor participation will fuel <Read More>

How Much $100 Investment in Bitcoin A Year Ago Worth Now?

Bitcoin price managed to rise above the $5,000 mark in trading today, fulfilling the expectations and predictions of a number of Bitcoin faithful. However, it has also led to widespread concerns that a bubble is forming that will eventually crater the portfolios of many investors.

The massive rise is difficult to grasp, without considering what the value of what an investment would be had it been purchased last year.

Consider an average investor who purchased $100 of Bitcoin in September 2016 when Bitcoin was selling for $572. Had they managed to hold the currency through all the ups and downs of the last year, they would be sitting on $850 with today’s $5,000 price point.

Is there an easier way to turn a few hundred dollars into thousands?

Billionaires around the world have invested in bitcoin.  Now you have the opportunity to become the next bitcoin millionaire; regardless, of the bitcoin price.  <Learn More>

Bubble talk

This fantastic level of value growth in a short time has led to wide speculation that Bitcoin is in a bubble. Consider Bloomberg’s analysis via Twitter:

While it is clear from the chart that the Bitcoin price has skyrocketed in recent months, pundits disagree with the bubble analysis. Industry leaders who are otherwise notoriously bearish have seen substantial growth potential for Bitcoin.

The argument is that Bitcoin was substantially undervalued until this recent run-up, and that the only thing that had limited its growth potential was increasing mainstream adoption.

New Satoshi Cycle?

However, as news of returns spread, adoption will certainly increase, leading to greater levels of investment and growth.

This cycle of adoption and growth leading to greater adoption and growth (termed a Satoshi Cycle) may well drive prices far higher in <Read More>

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin: Price Analysis, August 31

BTC/USD 31.08.2017

After multiple retests, the $4400 resistance zone has been hit by a powerful impulse. Though not so long ago, one can assume that the new resistance zone in the BTC/USD pair is $4650.

Technically, the picture is as follows:

  • $4400 is the support zone. There has been no full-blown retest, therefore $4400 test scenarios are highly likely.
  • $4650 is the resistance zone. We’ve seen a lot of buys at this level over the last couple of days.
  • Globally, the uptrend continues. But the movement has slowed down a bit, as there is probably a gradual shift of money flow from BTC to altcoins.

What to expect:

  • The most likely scenario of price behavior for the coming week is in the $4400-$4650 range. BTC will experience tests of support and resistance zones without any rapid price movements during the last hours of summer, after impressive growth in August.
  • The uptrend pressure may hit the $4650 zone. Apart from that, there are no other triggers. There’s no breaking news that could influence the price. In case a hit does take place, it’s very likely to be false.

The only factor that can profoundly change the course of <Read More>