Tokyo internet group Digital Garage has partnered with Blockstream to launch Liquid-based 'SettleNet'; SettleNet will enable settlement using the Blockstream's Liquid sidechain using a Yen-pegged stablecoin; the project aims to let participating members – specifically, crypto exchanges licensed in Japan at this stage – test the SettleNet platform to issue the stablecoin and to provide a settlement service between the stablecoin and crypto assets - Link
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Indonesian ride-sharing platform Go-Jek has acquired a majority stake in Filipino cryptocurrency wallet Coins.ph for $72M; Coins.ph allows for the buying of Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Ethereum, a cryptocurrency wallet, and a beta cryptocurrency exchange, Coins Pro; this is Go-Jek's second attempt at entering the Filipino market, the first being slapped down earlier this month by a regulatory board when it attempted to get a Manila ride hailing service license - Link
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The UAE and Saudi Arabia have launched a cryptocurrency pilot project for cross border payments; the two countries have the second-largest combined sovereign funds; the cryptocurrency blockchain will be run by central banks of the two countries; in Dec. 2018 the UAE's Securities and Commodities Authority classified ICO tokens as securities; working on a regulatory framework to release in mid-2019 - Link
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Crypto startup Tangem has raised a $15M Seed Round from SBI Crypto Investment; Tangem creates hardware storage of cryptocurrencies in the for of plastic payment cards; the cards are released in notes with a certain amount of crypto in each card - Link
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Popular series Entourage's Kevin Connolly announced his involvement in a series about the crypto world, called "CRYPTO"; Connolly made a suprise appearance at the North American Bitcoin conference where he made the announcement; Connolly has signed on for an actor-director role,  and was joined on stage by producers Jason King and Erik Sords, both believers in blockchain’s potential; similar to "Entourage," "Cryptos" centers on a group of friends as they navigate a cutthroat industry; the show's website is tailored to look like an ICO website - Link
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A cryptocurrency ransomware, BlackRouter, has been discovered being promoted on Telegram as a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS); the RaaS is reportedly being promoted by an Iranian developer who conveyed on a telegram hacking channel that a 80% share payout is given to whoever uses the software, as a means for the developer to gain feedback; BlackRouter was originally spotted in May 2018 - Link
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