Cryptocurrencies

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Turns out not everyone is happy with the detente in bitcoin’s civil war. While the cryptocurrency soared to a record $7,882 within minutes of news that it would avoid another split on Wednesday, the gains quickly evaporated. Bitcoin is now trading about 3 percent below where it was before a faction of the community scrapped plans for a so-called hard fork. Some speculators are disappointed they won’t get the additional coins that…

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) –  Bullion’s rally faltered in the past two months as the dollar strengthened and global equities set new records, while concerns over Brexit and Catalonia’s push for independence failed to drum up notable haven demand. Now, bitcoin’s surge is attracting investor interest toward the cryptocurrency and away from the metal, the biggest online vaulting service said. According to Google Trends, global searches for “buy bitcoin” have overtaken “buy gold” after previously exceeding searches…

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Argentina, one of the fastest nations to adopt bitcoin, wants to stay at the forefront of the cryptocurrency market. The most important futures market in the country, the Mercado de Termino de Rosario, known as Rofex, is considering offering services for investors in digital currencies. Conversations, which started six months ago, and preliminary drafts include offering custody services for the digital asset and the possibility for clients to use bitcoin…

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – The speculation around bitcoin is the “very definition of a bubble,” Credit Suisse Group AG Chief Executive Officer Tidjane Thiam said as the currency exceeded $7,000 for the first time. Bankers are steering clear of bitcoin out of concern that criminals could use its anonymity to hide their activities, he said Thursday at a news conference in Zurich.  “Most banks in the current state of regulation have little or no appetite to get…

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Bancor, one of the most successful initial coin offerings in the short history of digital tokens, is proving to be a dud for investors. After raising $153 million in a matter of hours in June, the Tel Aviv, Israel-based startup — whose market maker-like application aims to facilitate trading in other digital coins — has seen the price of its token decline 56 percent, one of the worst performances among…

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – The most widely used digital currency will now cost you about $6,125 apiece after blowing past the $5,000 and $6,000 price levels for the first time earlier this month. Bitcoin’s total value is just over $100 billion, meaning it makes up more than half of the overall cryptocurrency market.   Cryptocurrency prices have been unfazed by recent regulatory crackdowns across the world and scepticism from Wall Street stalwarts including Warren Buffett and…