IPO EXPLOSION: Canaan, the world’s second-largest bitcoin miner maker, intends to raise $100 million in a US initial public offering, according to an application to the SEC on Wednesday. Also wanting in on the IPO action is OneConnect, the fintech arm of China’s largest insurance company Ping An Insurance, with a target of $100 million via a Nasdaq listing. Full stories here and here
ETP STAKING: New financial products are coming to Tezos, a proof-of-stake (PoS) blockchain. Swiss startup Amun AG launched an exchange-traded product (ETP) Thursday, tracking the tezos cryptocurrency under the XTYZ ticker on the SIX stock exchange. As a PoS chain product, Amun’s newest ETP will also automatically reinvest staking rewards into the holder’s ETP shares. Full story
PORN BOOST? Paypal cut its payments services for thousands of live performers on adult entertainment site Pornhub. The move may lead to an uptick in use of the platform’s only crypto payout option, verge, if performers can get to grips with using the tech. Full story
COINBASE CARD: Coinbase has added five new crypto options to its Visa debit card, including XRP, augur and stellar. It’s also expanded availability of the card to 10 more European nations, including Norway, Poland, Denmark and Sweden. The card converts customers’ crypto to fiat currency when used at ATMs or retailers. Full story
CRYPTO PROTECTION: Ledger, the creator of the Nano hardware crypto wallet, bolstered security of its self-custody service for institutional investors. Working with insurance broker Marsh, Ledger obtained a $150 million insurance policy from Lloyd’s of London syndicate Arch for users of its Vault platform. Full story
WINE CHAIN: Singapore startup Blockchain Wine has built a new wine marketplace on ethereum, reports Ledger Insights. The TATTOO Wine platform, an acronym for traceability, authenticity, transparency, trade, origin and opinion, ensures that “every bottle is traceable from the point of origin all the way through to direct delivery, and on to the consumer,” said Tim Tse, chairman of Blockchain Wine. The system employs a digital token, leverages EY’s OpsChain platform and is integrated with the SAP Commerce solution all in the service of proving provenance.
Pornhub, meet crypto