Kodak's Blockchain Pivot Is A Sham, investment supervisor Says

One hedge fund supervisor is never buying Kodak's blockchain pivot.

In a analysis record released Wednesday, Kerrisdale Capital alleges Kodak's blockchain effort is never exact, going as far as to name it "a last-ditch inventory merchandising gambit for a company hurtling towards chapter." Kerrisdale holds a short position on Kodak's inventory, and is common for giving mighty opinions on public stocks that may move costs.

As reported by means of CoinDesk, Kodak introduced an preliminary coin providing (ICO) on Jan. 9 with a view to apply blockchain technology to clear up copyright issues confronted via photographers. The information was adopted by a 37 percent start in the company's stock, and a period of heightened performance.

however, in Wednesday's document, Kerrisdale Capital referred to its research leads it to trust that Kodak may not be capable of compete with other blockchains startups, because "it's staring on the opportunity of default and a debt restructuring in the subsequent 12-18 months."

As such, the hedge fund argues that Kodak lacks the technological potential and the funding to realize its claimed KodakCoin technology and thus transact and save images over a blockchain.

Addressing its separate plans to enter the mining market as well, the firm furthered its argument that the return of investment on Kodak remains questionable.

The record reads:

"Kodak's cryptocurrency ploy hits all of the main buzzwords – blockchain, smart contracts, dispensed ledger, ICO, and so forth. but appear during the PR spin, investigate the true deserves of using blockchain for the proposed provider, and it be obvious the venture is poorly concept out and may never work as promoted."

As of press time, Kodak has not yet replied with comments.

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Illinois Eyes Blockchain for IDs and Public Asset administration

An Illinois executive task drive has outlined a potential path for making use of blockchain technologies within the state's inter-govt operations.

in keeping with a report filed on Jan. 31 by using the Illinois Blockchain assignment drive to the regular meeting, the state is eyeing using blockchain applied sciences to, as a minimum, manage state residents' identification, as well as tokenizing property within the public sector to improve efficiency and cut back entitlement fraud.

The project drive special within the document that using a blockchain-powered platform would permit state citizens to entry and save all their identification suggestions, equivalent to tax, vote casting, and driver license, and so forth., as decentralized nodes. This consumer-centric model would then let citizens personal the assistance and share with distinct executive companies for public features.

The document states:

"This new model would reimagine the relationship between state and individual, as government would develop into the verifier, in preference to the custodian, of americans's public carrier id. govt would circulate from featuring statistics storage to verifying identification, enabling users to store entry to personal information securely on instruments."

moreover, the group also advised that blockchain technology has knowledge for Illinois' public sector in digitalizing property similar to tax credits, social advantages and municipal bonds, and the like.

by tokenizing these asset through blockchain know-how, such as the ethereum blockchain, can carry transparency to each transaction, the record said. This improves effectivity with the aid of reducing guide forms whereas averting advantage entitlement fraud.

additionally as part of its research initiative, the project drive has additionally published a database that tracks international initiatives which are presently exploring blockchain and allotted ledger technologies in public sectors.

The long-waited document comes as the newest research effort through the inter-executive assignment force, as required by means of the legislative condo to existing skills areas during which the state can utilize blockchain to increase its technological skill.

formed via law in June remaining 12 months, the group sees joint efforts from the Illinois department of economic and skilled law (IDFPR), the cook County Recorder of Deeds and the branch of Innovation and expertise. Others include appointees by using Illinois' secretary of state, and leaders from both the state's apartment and Senate.

Illinois State Capitol graphic via Shutterstock.

The chief in blockchain information, CoinDesk is an impartial media outlet that strives for the maximum journalistic standards and abides via a strict set of editorial policies. Have breaking information or a narrative tip to ship to our journalists? Contact us at news@coindesk.com.

Bitcoin, Ethereum, more Cryptocurrency added to Free trading App Robinhood

The inventory brokerage app Robinhood introduced Thursday that it's the newest service to get into the cryptocurrency game. however not like, say, long island Ice Tea, KFC, or Kodak, the buying and selling app’s embody of the blockchain may well be a whole lot greater than a curio for bitcoin fans.

“Robinhood is the handiest brokerage app to offer stock and crypto buying and selling beneath one platform,” a spokesperson tells Inverse.

headquartered in 2013, the app offers commission-free inventory trading with a purpose to enhance access to the market for those that would in any other case be put off with the aid of exorbitant prices. The web site presents to goal the equal for quite a lot of cryptocurrencies with the newly launched Robinhood Crypto function.

The web page at the moment offers a signup for early entry, with company able to add themselves to the rapidly starting to be waitlist to are attempting out the new aspects.

the full set of alternatives will become attainable to users in February, so they can include the skill to trade bitcoin and Ethereum. Robinhood also says it plans so as to add extra cash for trading in future.

past the ability to change stocks and cryptocurrency aspect by means of facet, Robinhood’s signature characteristic of commission-free trading may make it an attractive alternative for those interested in bitcoin. Even Coinbase, the most everyday online cryptocurrency trade, struggles with excessive transactions fees. Any colossal discount in those charges could make Robinhood an attractive alternative.

beginning Thursday, users may be able to add 16 cryptocurrencies to their watchlists, permitting them to display screen the latest news and value guidance for these cash alongside the shares they have an interest in.

The listed cryptocurrencies are bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin cash, Litecoin, Ripple, Ethereum traditional, Zcash, Monero, dash, Stellar, Qtum, Bitcoin Gold, OmiseGo, NEO, Lisk, and everyone’s historic favorite, Dogecoin.

The rollout for trading can be gradual, in accordance with Robinhood, with bitcoin and Ethereum buying and selling first set to be attainable in California, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, and New Hampshire. The website says further updates should be attainable in February, and the eventual sort of Robinhood Crypto will additionally evolve in accordance with preliminary remarks from clients on what works and what doesn’t.

Robinhood touts itself as the quickest transforming into brokerage ever, with more than three million users and $a hundred billion in total transaction quantity.

Canada's VersaBank Unveils 'Digital Vault' Blockchain provider

Vault door photo by way of Shutterstock

VersaBank, an all-digital bank based mostly in Canada, is establishing a "blockchain-primarily based digital safeguard deposit field" as part of an effort to tap the tech for new functions.

Dubbed VersaVault, the service will act as a way to save cryptocurrencies and different types of digital property, in accordance with a Tuesday announcement. The product represents a spread of kinds for the Canadian financial institution, which doesn't operate any physical branches and is basically focused on deposits and financing. VersaBank changed into based within the early Eighties and is publicly traded on the Toronto stock exchange.

President and CEO David Taylor placed the product from the standpoint of asset security, pointing to the cybersecurity challenges that encompass the managing of cryptocurrencies.

"Bitcoin and other crypto currencies [sic] are quickly gaining recognition and holders have already skilled their beneficial holdings vanish from the much less cozy 'digital storage' alternatives," he referred to in a press release.

VersaBank has tapped Gurpreet Sahota, previously the major architect of cybersecurity at smartphone maker Blackberry, to spearhead the task. Sahota will additionally act as the bank’s chief architect of cybersecurity.

“Banks have all the time been universal as the safest area to shop actual valuables and it is our aim to make VersaVault the most secure location to cozy your digital valuables, with absolute privacy," Sahota spoke of in an announcement.

The chief in blockchain information, CoinDesk is an unbiased media outlet that strives for the maximum journalistic specifications and abides by using a strict set of editorial guidelines. Have breaking news or a story tip to send to our journalists? Contact us at information@coindesk.com

Krambu Releases Cryptocurrency Mining Platform, Blockchain internet hosting and Supercomputing capabilities

Krambu, the business leader in cryptocurrency mining, blockchain hosting and excessive-performance computing introduced the unlock of their new app, website, and mining simulator.

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"we're extremely excited to offer this rising market a very diverse sector to be able to allow the regular mining customer the optimal business level efficiency. we're equally excited to birth providing blockchain hosting as a service to business clientele," said Dan Edwards, CEO of Krambu. "Working with a crew who has the adventure and capabilities from numerous expertise industries is what separates Krambu from others during this house."

Krambu gives completely managed and maintained cryptocurrency mining features with mounted vigor/upkeep charges and a certain hashrate uptime accessed by iOS, Android, and net.

Krambu's customized blockchain internet hosting provides commercial enterprise-grade, tailor healthy solutions for distributed ledger know-how. having access to this know-how makes it possible for valued clientele to reach new ranges of collaboration, transparency, and protection.

Krambu's supercomputing department builds next-era servers for the synthetic intelligence and scientific analysis markets.

Product AvailabilityThe new cryptocurrency mining app allows customers to access their mining directly from their smartphones. New consumers can are trying Krambu's mining functions in the course of the app without charge for 7 days. attainable now on iPhone, Android, iPad, Android tablet, and net.

For more assistance visit us at:  www.krambu.com

About KrambuKrambu is headquartered in Coeur d'Alene, id and is an business leader in cryptocurrency mining, blockchain internet hosting and excessive-efficiency computing. The business will also be reached at +1 (833) 457-2628 or www.krambu.com

PR/advertising and marketing CONTACT:Kat SilbersteinChief advertising and marketing Officerkat@krambu.com mobile (650) 438-4328  www.krambu.com

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Krambu is an industry chief in cryptocurrency mining, blockchain hosting and excessive-performance computing.

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