Bitcoin
Bitcoin Scaling: How to Give Everyone More Control (Coindesk)
Miners are frustrated because they've been asking for large blocks for years. From Bitmain's perspective, none of the developers seem even interested in any sort of hard fork. When they ask, the usual responses range from "Follow the Bitcoin Improvement Proposal process" (which inevitably gets voted down) to "Fork off".
Developers are frustrated because they've been asking for SegWit for years. From Bitcoin Core's perspective, the miners seem to be obstructing good technology for no good reason. When they ask for a reason, the usual responses range from "We want larger blocks" to "You're carrying water for Blockstream".
Altcoins
Litecoin Foundation Reports 'No Issues' Since SegWit Activation (Coindesk)
IOTA Becomes Six-largest Currency by Market Cap yet no one can Explain its Value (Live Bitcoin News)
Cryptocurrency users were quite surprised to see IOTA become the sixth-largest currency by market cap all of a sudden. For a project successfully completing its ICO in 2015, that is quite surprising, considering the trading markets only opened yesterday. In fact, it can only be traded on Bitfinex, which is a bit strange. Moreover, there is the bigger question of what is it that gives IOTA value. Right now this question is fairly difficult to answer.
Blockchain
Blockchain is Right Solution for Fund Industry, Largest-Scale Test Successful (The Cointelegraph)
The long-term strategy of Tregidgo and the Calastone development team is to reduce costs involved in the processing of trades, messages and transactions within the global fund industry and market. The migration of trades from offline to online is said to allow Calastone and the rest of the companies in the industry to automate trades, rather than manually approving and verifying trades.
Finance Firms Back New Blockchain Research Lab in Beijing (Coindesk)
The new effort will focus on keeping track of innovations in blockchain technology, while also working to encourage more blockchain startups to set up shop in Zhongguancun.
Thomson Reuters to Power Blockchain Contracts with Experimental Service (Coindesk)
Centralized applications, such as those run by banks and brokers, have had access to the the firm's data via more traditional APIs and FTPs for some time. But, this launch opens up access to the growing decentralized application market for the data needed to facilitate more sophisticated transactions. With additional data sets forthcoming, Chadwick believes the oracle could eventually enable an endless array of advanced blockchain transactions without the need of middlemen.
PwC Principal: Cryptocurrencies Could Power New Economy (Coindesk)
A new decentralized system made possible with cryptocurrencies could be much simpler by removing layers of intermediation. It could help ensure less risks, and by moving in different ways, it will open up the possibility of new and different financial products. – Grainne McNamara
Kazakhstan Central Bank To Sell Blockchain-Based Bonds (The Cointelegraph)
The primary reason why government authorities refuse to outrightly back Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies is the pseudonymity and other privacy features associated with them.They also fear the loss of control over the monetary system. In 2013, the Kazakhstan vice minister of finance stated that his country’s position in the global financial system could be undermined by Bitcoin.
Regulation
Australia and Hong Kong Regulators Ink FinTech Agreement (Cryptocoin News)
Financial services are a major contributor to Hong Kong’s US$316 billion economy. The Cooperation Agreement is a significant boost for Australia’s burgeoning fintech sector and will ease entry into this important market for innovative Australian businesses. – Cathie Armour, ASIC Commissioner