Matthew Willemsen

News Reporter

Matthew is an Australian journalist who has been reporting on developments in the crypto and blockchain ecosystem since late 2017. He enjoys researching cryptoassets as well as the projects building out the industry’s supporting infrastructure. Matthew holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Monash University; double majoring in accounting and economics.

Articles by Author

Bitcoin ($BTC) Crypto Roundup Regulation

President Donald Trump, Fed Chair Jerome Powell Talk Bitcoin, Cryptocurrencies, Facebooks Libra

Daily crypto recap: U.S. President Trump, Fed Chair Jerome Powell talk Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies, and Facebook’s Libra; SEC qualifies second crypto project’s Reg A+ application in as many days.
Crypto Roundup Exchanges Regulation

$55 Million of Venture Capital Announced in One Day; Binance Launches Binance Margin Trading

Today’s crypto news: $55 million in venture equity announced in one day; SEC approves first-ever token offering; and Binance launches Binance Margin Trading. 
Business Crypto Roundup Exchanges

Binance Singapore Exchange Opens; Goldman Sachs Launches Second Cryptocurrency Team

Daily crypto recap: Binance Singapore opens; Goldman Sachs launches second cryptocurrency-devoted team; and Circle-owned Poloniex rolls out fiat on-ramp connectivity.
Bitcoin ($BTC) Business Interview

Bitcoin Bag Guy Explains ‘That’ Deutsche Bank Photo

Walking out of Deutsche Bank’s London offices into a swarm of photogs, the Bitcoin bag-carrying besuited gentleman became an overnight sensation. But who is Bitcoin Bag Guy?
Crypto Roundup Regulation Stablecoins

Court Receives Evidence Against Bitfinex, Tether; ShapeShift Launches Crypto Platform

Daily crypto news: Bitfinex, Tether served New Yorkers longer than claimed, NYAG alleges; ShapeShift unveils new hardware-secured, web-based platform; and Singapore tax agency proposes to rid cryptocurrency transactions of GST.
Bitcoin ($BTC) Crypto Roundup Regulation

European Central Bank Exec Worried for Regulators as Bitcoin, Other Blockchains, Hit Record-High Hashrate

Daily crypto recap: Bitcoin, other blockchains, hit record-high hashrate; European Central Bank exec says the development of Facebook’s Libra “is out of the question, and Nouriel Roubini threatens BitMEX with lawsuit.
Cardano Crypto Roundup Regulation

Facebook’s Blockchain Lead on ‘Misunderstandings’; Cardano in Cryptocurrency Regulatory Push

Daily crypto recap: David Marcus on “misunderstandings” surrounding Libra cryptocurrency; Cardano Foundation joins push to create cryptocurrency regulatory guidelines; and Liquid exchange selling Telegram’s Gram token.
Bitcoin ($BTC) Crypto Roundup Ethereum ($ETH)

Circle CEO Tells Business Mogul to Get Schooled Up on Bitcoin; Zero-Knowledge Ethereum Mixer Hits Testnet

Daily crypto recap: Circle CEO in heated CNBC interview; $1 billion in STOs coming to Tezos blockchain; and zero-knowledge Ethereum mixer, Heiswap, unveiled.
Bitcoin ($BTC) Business Crypto Roundup

U.S. Lawmakers Want Facebook to Halt Libra Plans; Hayes, Roubini, Do Battle in Taipei

Arthur Hayes, Nouriel Roubini, exchange verbal blows in the ‘Tangle in Taipei’ debate; Facebook receives letter from U.S. lawmakers calling for a moratorium on Libra’s development; and $822M invested in blockchain startups for 1H19.
Bitcoin ($BTC) Exchanges Regulation

BitMEXs Arthur Hayes Battles Nouriel Roubini at Tangle in Taipei Debate

Arthur Hayes took on Nouriel Roubini in the ‘Tangle of Taipei’, a debate on bitcoin and cryptocurrency at Asia Blockchain Summit. Here’s what happened.
Bitcoin ($BTC) Crypto Roundup Exchanges

ErisX Wins License for Crypto Futures Exchange; Binance Futures Unveiled

Crypto daily recap: ErisX obtains license to clear physically-delivered cryptoasset futures contracts; BitMEX CEO talks to Bloomberg about Bitcoin; Nouriel Roubini’s keynote as critical as ever on cryptocurrency; and Binance Futures unveiled at Asia Blockchain Summit.
Bitcoin ($BTC) Crypto Roundup Exchanges

Bitcoin Network as Secure as Ever; BitMEX Annual Volumes Hit $1 Trillion

Top daily news in crypto: Blockchain Capital’s Spencer Bogart on Bitcoin and Facebook’s Libra; Bitcoin hash rate and mining difficulty at record highs; and BitMEX annual volumes reach $1 trillion.
Bitcoin ($BTC) Crypto Roundup Exchanges

Bitcoin Price to Settle, Says Novogratz; $1.2 Billion Polkadot Closes Private DOTs Sale

Day’s top crypto news: Novogratz sees bitcoin settling; Polkadot DOTs sale closes in line with a $1.2 billion valuation; and Gemini opens Chicago office.
Crypto Roundup Ethereum ($ETH) Exchanges

Apple Users Score Crypto-Friendly Options; Trio Close Venture Equity Rounds

Hottest daily crypto news: Opera gives Apple iOS users more crypto-friendly solutions; crypto VC spree continues with trio of announcements; and a world-leading stock exchange prepares for Ethereum ERC-20 trading.
Bitcoin ($BTC) Crypto Roundup Regulation

NFL Players Keep Buying Bitcoin; Binance Chain to Hard Fork

Today’s top crypto news: LedgerX wins regulatory nod on physically-settled bitcoin futures; NFL players continue to buy up bitcoin; and Binance Chain prepares for major hard fork.
Bitcoin ($BTC) Crypto Roundup Regulation

Facebook to (Again) Front Congress over Libra; Top Bitcoin Analyst on Block Reward Halving Effect

Today’s top crypto news: Facebook’s Libra set for another Congressional hearing; Bitcoin analyst on ‘block reward halving’ effect; and Coin Metrics reports on Kin blockchain.
Blockchain Crypto Roundup Exchanges

Zcash Blockchain Set for Redesign; Facebooks Calibra to Hire Head of Data Science

Today’s top crypto headlines: Zcash blockchain set for major redesign; Facebook’s Calibra posts for Head of Data Science; Binance DEX gets first stablecoin trading pair.
Crypto Roundup Regulation Security

Messaging Giant Line Nears Approval on Crypto Exchange; New York Blockchain Startup Lures Big-Name Investors

Today’s top crypto headlines: messaging giant Line close to winning approval on crypto exchange; big-name investors back New York blockchain firm; and Coinbase staff targeted in cyber attack.
Bitcoin ($BTC) Crypto Roundup Regulation

Senate Banking Hearing on Facebooks Libra; 0.25% of Algorand Tokens Sell for $60 Million

In today’s crypto news: the Senate Banking Committee books hearing on Facebook’s Libra; Bitcoin developers to get 50 BTC funding; and 0.25% of Algorand’s ALGO tokens sell for $60 million.
Business Crypto Roundup Exchanges

Facebook Libra Cryptocurrency Unveiled; Yet Another Ban for U.S. Crypto Investors

Top crypto news from past 24 hours: Facebook unveils Libra cryptocurrency; multiple regulators voice concern over Libra and Libra Blockchain; and Bancor bans U.S. users from its web app.

Ripple Invests $30 Million in MoneyGram; Binance CEO Tells All in AMA

Today’s top crypto news: Ripple invests $30 million in MoneyGram; South Korean exchanges guarantee hack reimbursements; and Binance CEO holds hour-long AMA.

Bitcoin Hash Rate Hits All-Time High; $100 Million in Tether (USDT) Minted

Today’s top crypto news: Bitcoin hash rate clocks all-time high; the Tether Treasury mints one-hundred million tethers (USDT); and Bitmain sues former staff for $4.3 million.

Binance U.S. to Launch as Binance.com Bans U.S. Residents; CryptoCompare Launches New Benchmark Tool to Rank Exchange Legitimacy

Today’s top crypto news: Binance set to launch Binance U.S. despite pain in “short term” per CEO; CryptoCompare Launches New Benchmark Tool to Rank Exchange Legitimacy; and Fundstrat’s Tom Lee explains how bitcoin (BTC) could spike to $40,000.

Block.one Continues Washington, D.C. Push; IoT Startup Attracts Big-Name Crypto Investors

Today’s top crypto news: Block.one continues push into Washington, D.C.; IoT startup lures big-name cryptoasset investors; Square Crypto hires ex-Google director.

Koreas Largest Bank No Longer Crypto-Averse; Coinbase Card Hits Six More Countries

Today’s top crypto headlines: Korea’s largest bank flips stance on cryptocurrencies; Coinbase Card hits six more European countries; and CryptoCompare partners with Nasdaq.

CoinShares Surprising Bitcoin Mining Report; Binance to Let 1,000 Final Round Margin Trading Testers

Today’s top crypto news: CoinShares Bitcoin Mining Report estimates renewables make up 74% of Bitcoin mining network’s energy mix; Zilliqa launches first-ever smart contract platform built on sharding; and Binance to let 1,000 into the final round of testing its margin trading product.

Sparkster (SPRK) Debuts at 10% of ICO Price, Bittrex Geofences 32 Cryptoassets

Top crypto headlines from the past day: predictions on Facebook’s cryptocurrency by a respected blockchain advocate; Sparkster’s SPRK token hits exchanges at a slither of its ICO price; and Bittrex to disable support for 32 cryptocurrencies for U.S. customers.

Facebook GlobalCoin Details Accidentally Shared; Costly CLAM Crash for Poloniex Traders

Leading today’s crypto news: Facebook executive reveals the GlobalCoin whitepaper details; Poloniex reports troubling margin trading problems; and five governments crack down on cryptocurrency tax evasion schemes.

Facebook GlobalCoin Set for June Reveal; Binance Labs Unveils 13 Stealth Incubatees

Today’s top crypto headlines: Facebook reportedly launching its GlobalCoin cryptocurrency this month, Binance Labs unveils second batch of incubatees, and former Mt. Gox chief executive joins blockchain startup

SEC Sues Kik; FBI, Multiple U.S. Investigative Agencies Circle QuadrigaCX

Major crypto headlines from the past 24 hours include the SEC suing Kik, Apple unveiling CryptoKit for iOS 13; and the FBI’s joint investigation asking QuadrigaCX victims for information.

Microsoft Unveils Solidity Smart Contract Verifier; CME Bitcoin Futures Clock New Record

Today’s top crypto headlines: Microsoft’s Azure Blockchain gets a Solidity smart contract verifier; CME bitcoin futures hit a record amount of open interest; and TRON’s Justin Sun prepares for lunch with billionaire investor Warren Buffet.

Block.one’s Social Media App; Binance DEX Restrictions; Japanese Bar Tests Lightning

Block.one unveils EOS-enabled social media app; Binance DEX to geo-fence 29 countries; and a Japanese bar is testing Bitcoin’s Lightning Network for all of June.

Coinbase Lists EOS on Coinbase.com, Rolls Out New Security Feature

Today’s cryptocurrency headlines: Coinbase lists EOS and launches new security features; U.S. authorities accuse North Korea of cryptocurrency-related hacks; and Huobi Global clamps down on wash trading.

$8 Million Ploughed Into DAO Within Hours; Cryptocurrency Not Crypto Pleads AP

In today’s cryptocurrency news: $8 million locked into dxDAO just hours into launch; Tezos realizes a major milestone; and Associated Press pleads for ‘cryptocurrency’ over ‘crypto’.

Kins Donation Plea; Blockchain Talent Changes; JPMorgan Ups Privacy

Today’s crypto headlines: the Kin Foundation launches a fund to fight the SEC; a number of high-profile names in the blockchain industry confirm job moves; and JPMorgan unveils an extended implementation of a privacy protocol by Stanford and Visa Research.

Yahoo-backed Crypto Exchange to Launch; Cryptopia Liquidator Files for U.S. Bankruptcy Protection

A Yahoo Japan-backed crypto exchange to launch this week; Cryptopia’s liquidator obtains U.S. court order; and paper wallet generator website deemed “highly suspect” by MyCrypto security researcher.

Why Public Perception is Wrong on Bitcoin Trading; Bitcoin Cash Suffers Attack; LocalBitcoins Leaves Iran

Among the major news: Bitwise highlights the under-appreciated efficiencies of the bitcoin trading market; BitMEX Research reports on the Bitcoin Cash’s problematic hard fork; and, despite enjoying increasing volumes, LocalBitcoins withdraws from Iran.

Facebooks Cryptocurrency by Year End; Grayscale Ethereum Trust Goes Retail; Coinbase Adds DAI

Facebook aims to start testing its GlobalCoin cryptocurrency by year-end; Grayscale gets the nod to publicly quote eligible shares of Grayscale Ethereum Trust (ETHE); and Coinbase opens up trading of the Dai stablecoin to all customers.

Top Cryptocurrency Coin Mixer Seized; Grayscale Investments ‘Big News’ Today; More Records for CME’s Bitcoin Futures

Today’s crypto news: European authorities in a world-first seizure of cryptocurrency coin mixer; New York’s Grayscale Investment to drop “big news” today; Records continue for CME Group’s bitcoin futures contracts.

Circle Cuts Staff, Fundraising Goal as Tether Admits to Buying Bitcoin

Today’s crypto news: Circle announces layoffs and slashed fundraising target; the Ethereum Foundation outlines how it plans to spend $30 million over the next year; and Tether admits in court it used reserves to buy bitcoin.

Global Task Force, U.S. Tax Agency, SEC Dominate Crypto Headlines

Regulations are ruling the crypto headlines so far this week. Over the past 24 hours, we’ve heard crypto-related updates from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission (SEC).

Bitcoin Airs on 60 Minutes; ‘Bitcoin’ Google Searches Hit 14-Month High; Binance Recaps Hack

Recapping the day’s crypto news: Bitcoin segment airs on 60 Minutes; Google searches for ‘bitcoin’ hits 14-month high; and Binance publishes its much-anticipated recap of its major bitcoin hack.

Net Outflows Despite Bitcoin Spike; Court Grants Bitfinex Motion; Poloniex Cuts Altcoins From U.S. Customers

More investors cashed out, than in, during the crypto price spike; Bitfinex had their motion to modify an injunction granted; and Poloniex disables nine altcoin markets for U.S. customers.

Bitcoin Cash, Stellar Suffer Network Issues; Binance Returns; TD Ameritrade, eBay, Quash Crypto Rumors

Over the past 24 hours in crypto, network issues were experienced by two popular blockchain networks in Bitcoin Cash and Stellar. In other news, Binance resumed full services, whilst TD Ameritrade and eBay each put rumors of a crypto expansion to rest.

Bitcoin ETF Delay; Cryptopia Enters Liquidation; BitGo Unveils New Institutional Service

Another bitcoin ETF delay from the SEC. Cryptopia exchange halts trading, enter liquidation. BitGo unveils solution to attract more institutional investors to crypto.

Cryptocurrency Markets Rally After News of Record Bitcoin Futures Volume, Microsoft Project

The spate of auspicious news has continued over the past 24 hours in the crypto space. Flexa partners with Gemini on app launch, CME Group celebrates record bitcoin futures volumes, and Microsoft shares preview of Bitcoin-based decentralized identifier network.

HTC’s Bitcoin Smartphone; BitMEX Enjoys Trading Volume Record; Bitfinex Privately Raises $1 Billion

The crypto news certainly didn’t stop over the weekend. Among those leading the headlines were smartphone manufacturing giant HTC, bitcoin futures trading platform BitMEX, and cryptocurrency exchange Bitfinex.

FinCEN Issues Guidance on Virtual Currencies as Congressman Proposes Bill to Outlaw Crypto Purchases

U.S. regulation has certainly dominated the crypto headlines over the past 24 hours. One story from a Congressman. Another from FinCEN. Oh, and William Shatner is blockchain-izing Captain Kirk.

Facebook Flips Crypto-Related Ad Ban; Bitfinex Confirms $1 Billion IEO; Binance Margin Trading ‘Very Soon’

Leading today’s crypto headlines was Facebook’s announcement it will significantly relax its ad policy for a number of cryptocurrency-related products and offerings. Two prominent exchanges Binance and Bitfinex released important business plans.

Binance Loses 7000 BTC in Hack; WeChat Bans Crypto Trading; Milestone for Ethereum 2.0 as Testnet Launched

The crypto industry has grown accustomed to seeing Binance dominate headlines, and today was no different. What was, however, was the contents of the news itself. This and more in today’s daily crypto recap.

Alibaba’s Ant Financial and US Insurance Giant Invest In Israeli Blockchain Startup QEDIT

Ant Financial, the payments affiliate of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, and Reinsurance Group of America accelerator (RGAX) have participated in the $10 million Series A investment round of privacy-oriented blockchain startup QEDIT.

Fidelity BTC Trading Coming This Month; CTFC Comfortable with ETH Futures; Major Bitcoin Upgrades Proposed

Crypto markets continued to climb today following more promising news regarding institutional investor adoption from the CFTC and Fidelity and the technology underpinning Bitcoin.

Bitcoin’s Lightning Network Reaches Apple Watch as NYAG-iFinex Legal Battle Continues

There was certainly no shortage of crypto news to digest over the weekend. Below is a summary to get you up to speed.

Crypto Market Sees Green as Facebook and Institutional Investors Show Interest

The crypto and blockchain space was rife with promising news over the past 24 hours, and the markets reacted accordingly.

Square Posts Record BTC Sales (Again) as Bitcoin Goes For Gold

Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey’s pro-Bitcoin stance appears to be rubbing off on his other company Square and its users,

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