To examine synergies between the DTI and ITSA standards

Etrading Software (ETS), global provider of technology-led solutions, acting as exclusive Registration Authority for the new International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO) standard ISO 24165 for Digital Token Identifiers (DTIs), and International Token Standardization Association (ITSA), the non-profit organization and special interest group aiming at setting market standards for the global token economy, today announce a new joint task force to identify potential synergies regarding the identification of digital tokens.

The Digital Token Identifier Foundation (DTIF) was created by Etrading Software to provide ISO standard identifiers for digital assets based on open data principles. The joint task force is charged with identifying synergies in the issuance processes of both the DTI and the International Token Identification Number (ITIN) - the technical identifier issued by ITSA for both fungible and non-fungible DLT-based cryptographic tokens. The task force was established in May and is due to run for the next 6-12 months.

Sassan Danesh, Managing Partner of Etrading Software, said, “Etrading Software is working hard to ensure that ISO DTI 24165 can be seamlessly integrated with existing industry standards. The integration of the DTI with other relevant standards, which have different functions but are intrinsically linked, will reduce operational complexity and costs of the DTI, as well as providing a clear link between an asset and a digital token that represents the asset.” 

Constantin Ketz, Vice Chairman of ITSA, said, “ITSA is keen to cooperate with other standards bodies and initiatives to ensure the interoperability and complementary nature of all market standards. We are convinced that collaboration and alignment of existing standards will lead to accelerated adoption of digital tokens as well as increased efficiency and accessibility for market stakeholders. Therefore, we are very happy to be working with Etrading Software on finding synergies between ITIN and DTI.”

A key deliverable of the task force will be to produce a set of recommendations for collaboration to DTIF and ITSA boards, including an outline implementation plan. These might include aligning DTIs and ITINs, automatic notifications between issuing authorities or white-label access and/or federated model. In order to facilitate transparency, the task force charter, meeting agenda and minutes will be available to the public on DTIF website: https://dtif.org/itsa-ets-dti-task-force/.

The pandemic is far from over, but the global economic outlook remains benign. We expect global growth to land at 5.5% this year, before slowing to 5.1% and 4.1% in 2022 and 2023, says Helge Pedersen, Nordea Group Chief Economist. Inflation has risen sharply, and it may stabilise at a higher level than seen in many years.

In the Nordics, the spread of the virus is under control, the last remaining restrictions are being lifted and growth is high. Pre-pandemic levels of production has been reached in all countries and we now enter a new phase where the need for further economic policy stimulus must be reviewed.

The Danish economy has moved from deep crisis to a risk of overheating in record time. Overall economic activity now exceeds pre-pandemic levels and the fast recovery requires full flexibility of the labour market and considerable adaptability in terms of economic policy. The housing market appears to be normalising after a period of very large price increases. Consumer prices have started to rise faster than previously and there are signs of mounting wage pressures..

In Finland, economic growth was strong during the summer. GDP reached the pre-pandemic level in the second quarter of 2021. The good export performance has initiated machinery investments and construction investments are benefitting from a strong housing market demand. Strong employment growth and gradually decreasing household savings rate is fuelling private consumption..

The Norwegian economy has now regained all the ground lost during the coronavirus crisis. Unemployment has dropped sharply in sync with the reopening of society. At the same time, the number of job vacancies is record high and signs of mismatch in the labour market are emerging – which could lead to higher wage growth. The housing market rally is over and prices will likely flatten going forward. Norges Bank will start normalizing interest rates in September this year.

The Swedish economy is entering a new phase where high resource utilisation will hamper production growth. Growth is set to become more widespread, with investment as a key driver alongside exports and household consumption. Labour shortages will give rise to increasing concern and wage growth will pick up. Inflation will rise due to higher commodity prices and elevated transportation costs, however not persistent enough for the Riksbank to tighten monetary policy.

Read Economic Outlook here.
 

Source: Nordea Markets

The Mexican peso (MXN) enters OctaFX's currency pool at the end of August—it comes with three tradable currency pairs.

Finally, the most traded currency from Latin America enters global Forex broker OctaFX's ensemble—the Mexican peso (MXN).

Being the third-largest currency traded in North America (after the U.S. dollar and Canadian dollar), the Mexican currency is issued and governed by a nation with the 15th largest nominal gross domestic product (GDP) of an equivalent of well over one trillion U.S. dollars.

So there is an evident and reasonable long-term play here not to neglect the Mexican peso all the more.

Many factors make Mexico an attractive financial hub in the world. Manufactured goods for export and tourism, as well as inward capital flow from Mexican nationals working abroad have been the chief sources of foreign income for the federal republic. With its over 126 million inhabitants, the country has a bit over a third the population of the United States and sets out to potentially be the fifth-largest economy in the world in the decades to come.

The international fintech company starts off its most recent novelty surrounding the Mexican peso with the following three currency pairs:

●      USDMXN (U.S. dollar/Mexican peso)

●      EURMXN (euro/Mexican peso)

●      GBPMXN  (Great Britain pound/Mexican peso)

According to OctaFX's assessments, these specifically added currency pairs provide clients with a more diverse, convenient, and up-to-date trading experience.

Due to the decade-strong resilience of Mexico's economy and growing numbers in foreign investment, the currency has solidified its position among the ranks of the fifteen most traded currency units globally.

Guide Identifies Six Key Pillars of Due Diligence for Evaluating Potential Fintech Partners

Zafin, the world’s leading SaaS product and pricing platform for the next generation of banking, today issued a statement of commendation for the U.S. Federal Reserve System, the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., and the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. The praise is attributed to offering community banks a detailed guide on due diligence considerations when partnering with financial technology companies (fintech). The guide, released last Friday, facilitates and supports discussion points for reasonable community banking innovations and the growing opportunities offered through fintech partnerships. This time and dedication by three leading U.S. financial agencies signal a rapidly transforming banking system and the advantages it represents for both community banks and the fintech industry in the United States.

“We applaud the collective efforts of these U.S. Federal Banking System agencies for their guidance and leadership demonstrated through the publishing of this important guide,” said Rob King, Chief Revenue Officer of Zafin. “More than ever before, it’s critical for banks and credit unions to consider partnering with fintech companies to accelerate their digital transformation efforts. At Zafin, we are committed to contributing to this guide by offering transparency and integrative collaboration with the industry as they navigate these new guidelines and embark on expanding their ability to offer exceptional client experiences through the use of innovative technology.”

The resource guide outlines six key pillars that banks and credit unions should consider when performing due diligence as part of their overall risk management processes when considering business partnerships with fintech companies. The six pillars of the due diligence recommendations are:

• Business experience and qualifications
• Financial condition
• Compliance with laws and regulations
• Risk management and control processes
• Information security
• Operational resilience

As digital banking becomes increasingly popular, traditional banks and credit unions need to adapt to remain competitive with neobanks by offering new products, offers and experiences that meet the lifestyle needs of their customers. The considerable resources placed by these three Federal agencies further demonstrates a growing validation that financial institutions of all sizes should explore new partnership pathways offered by the ever-growing fintech industry.

Zafin’s award-winning SaaS product and pricing platform works to address many of the critical challenges and restraints banks and credit unions face with their core systems. It allows institutions to differentiate from their competitors, retain and expand existing relationships, and acquire new account holders by offering competitive product pricing, offers and rewards at the relationship level.

To learn more about Zafin, please visit: https://zafin.com/ and follow us on LinkedIn.

Helix Artifacts Accelerates Development Team Velocity and Hardens the Supply Chain, Streamlining Workflow Complexity and Reducing Costs

Using artifacts in the development of software increases team velocity and maintains product consistency. However, these assets can be vulnerable to cyber-attacks and corruption. For this reason, many organizations are searching for a more secure and cost-effective way to store, consume, and distribute artifacts.

Helix Artifacts is a self-hosted package manager built on top of the highly secure Helix Core – enterprise version control by Perforce. Helix Artifacts acts as a package translator, for packages such as NuGet, Maven, or Docker, to communicate directly with Helix Core, build systems, and integrated developer environments, creating a uniquely streamlined way to manage artifacts and increase developer efficiency.

“Helix Artifacts is the most efficient, secure, and affordable way for Perforce Helix Core customers to store and manage their packages,” said Gerhard Krüger, Cloud Architect and Product Manager at Perforce. “It allows our users to version and consume their artifacts in the same manner as they would their source code.”

“Adding Helix Artifacts to your Perforce environment will not only cut down on additional infrastructure and storage costs, but also simplify security as it relates to development and reduce the number of vendors your entire team has to engage with,” said Brad Hart, CTO at Perforce. “And reducing vendors helps with everything from training new team members to contract negotiations, and so much more.”

Helix Artifacts has a simple per-server subscription model and is priced to be a fraction of the cost of other self-hosted artifact management solutions.

Vesttoo is proud to announce that it has joined NVIDIA Inception, a program designed to nurture companies revolutionizing industries with advancements in AI and data sciences.

Vesttoo's AI-based risk modeling technology creates accurate and objective risk models which are used to structure, price and place alternative reinsurance deals. This transfers insurance risks to capital market investors with a faster time- to-market, full risk transparency and performance monitoring, promoting liquidity in the reinsurance ecosystem.

NVIDIA Inception will allow Vesttoo to further develop its independent, proprietary technologies in order to support its growing global pipeline and insurance-linked program (ILP), Vesttoo's security-based investment portfolio. The ILP program is based on Life and P&C insurance risks, giving institutional investors the opportunity to earn additional long- term, sustainable alpha from existing assets, without the need to allocate cash. The program will offer Vesttoo technological support, access to an extensive network, and the opportunity to collaborate with industry-leading experts and other AI-driven organizations.

"We are thrilled to be part of NVIDIA Inception and join a network of market leaders that are reshaping entire industries. We look forward to collaborating with NVIDIA and taking advantage of their in-depth knowledge in AI and machine learning to further grow our ILP program," said Yaniv Bertele, Vesttoo's Chief Executive Officer.

NVIDIA Inception helps startups during critical stages of product development, prototyping and deployment. Every NVIDIA Inception member gets a custom set of ongoing benefits, such as NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute credits, marketing support, and technology assistance, which provides startups with the fundamental tools to help them grow.

 iQSTEL, Inc. (OTCQB: IQST) today announced its Independent Board of Directors has instructed management to apply for OTCQX. The OTCQX application is part of iQSTEL’s overall strategy to uplist to Nasdaq.

Management and the Independent Board of Directors view the OTCQX certification as an important exercise to further prepare the company for an uplisting to Nasdaq.  While advancing iQSTEL’s oversight and transparency practices in preparation for a Nasdaq application, an OTCQX certification is expected, at the same time, to add immediate value to shareholders.

OTCQX is the "platinum club" of companies quoted on OTCMarkets.  The OTCQX includes banks, airlines and very large, multinational companies. It is an honor just to apply to join to this exclusive "club".

OTCQX has requirements consistent with Nasdaq standards. For example, OTCQX companies are required to conduct annual shareholder meetings and make annual financial reports available to its shareholders at least 15 calendar days prior to such meetings.

Mr. Iglesias CEO and Chairman commented: "The company is making ongoing and steady progress toward a Nasdaq uplisting. Each interim milestone we make toward a Nasdaq uplisting adds immediate value for our shareholders. We are enthusiastic to advance our march toward a Nasdaq uplsting through the opportunity to join the OTCQX and build on our recent Board expansion to establish independence and the implementation of an Independent Audit committee.”

The Company continues in the focused execution of its business plan - launching new products and increasing sales and efficiency. Management has recently reorganized the company into two business divisions - B2B IQSTelecom and B2C EVOSS - in order to better engage customers and add value for shareholders. Both divisions execute operations independently in a manner that could be described as having two companies under one iQSTEL umbrella.

iQSTEL Inc (OTCQB: IQST) (www.iQSTEL.com) is a US-based publicly-listed company with an Independent Board of Directors offering leading-edge Telecommunication, Technology and Fintech Services for Global Markets, with presence in 15 countries.  The company provides services to the Telecommunications, Electric Vehicle (EV), Financial Services, Chemical and Liquid Fuel Distribution Industries. iQSTEL has 5 Business Divisions: Telecom, Electric Vehicle (EV), Fintech, Technology and Blockchain, with worldwide B2B and B2C customer relations operating through its subsidiaries: Etelix, SwissLink, QGlobal SMS, SMSDirectos, Global Money One, IoT Labs and itsBchain. The Company has an extensive portfolio of products and services for its clients: SMS, VoIP, international fiber-optic connectivity for 5G, Cloud-PBX, OmniChannel Marketing, EV Batteries, EV Chargers, EV Battery Management System, EV IoT Connectivity, Mobile App For EV Connectivity, EV Dashboard Display, Visa/Mastercard Debit Card, Cryptocurrency Exchange Services, Money Remittance, Mobile Top Up, IoT Smart Gas Platform, IoT Smart Tank Platform, Mobile Number Portability Application MNPA (Blockchain Platform) and Settlement & Payments Marketplace SPM (Blockchain Platform).

Safe Harbor Statement: Statements in this news release may be "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that express our intentions, beliefs, expectations, strategies, predictions or any other statements relating to our future activities or other future events or conditions. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our business based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may, and are likely to, differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release and iQSTEL Inc. undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release.

 Coinbase, the global cryptocurrency exchange platform, has announced that users in the UK will soon be able to earn staking rewards with ETH2, the upgraded version of Ethereum, with a waiting list for the product launched today ahead of its roll out in the near future. 

Staking allows customers to earn up to 5%* APR per year by converting their ETH, the second most popular cryptocurrency, into ETH2 and staking their assets on Coinbase. Once converted into ETH2 their assets are added to the staking-pool which helps to secure the blockchain and generates rewards in return. Coinbase performs this staking on the customer’s behalf, bringing greater accessibility to one of the key features of the cryptoeconomy. 

Coinbase first offered staking rewards in 2019 with Tezos and Cosmos, and the ETH2 staking rewards launch is a result of unprecedented demand from UK customers. There are no minimum amounts required to stake and customers can convert, stake and earn rewards on a portion of Ethereum rather than their entire balance.

Whilst customers can stake ETH outside of Coinbase, running a validator requires a stake of at least 32 ETH (approximately $100,000 as of 31 August) as well as the technical knowhow needed to run the ETH2 client software. Coinbase is making staking easier and more accessible by enabling users to participate without meeting these minimum requirements.

Commenting on the UK launch, General Manager of UK and EMEA, Marcus Hughes said: 

“We have witnessed a huge rise in customers purchasing Ether in recent months and so are delighted to be in a position to offer them staking rewards for this asset. We believe that, in simplifying staking, which is very complex to do individually, we can play a role in widening access to this key part of the cryptoeconomy.

“In the current climate, a return of 5% is incredibly competitive and, given the success of our existing staking rewards programmes we expect ETH2 staking to be highly popular amongst our UK users.”

Spotify has become Tinkoff’s partner in Russia. Now Tinkoff ecosystem customers can subscribe to and set up automatic payments for the music service via the Tinkoff super app or at Tinkoff.ru. Tinkoff will be offering up to 25% cashback on each payment for a Spotify subscription.

Everyone who registers for Spotify Premium before 31 December 2021 will receive a free three-month trial. After that, the subscription will be RUB 169 a month.

When signing up for Spotify Premium via Tinkoff, customers become eligible for monthly cashback on each payment:

• 25% for Tinkoff Pro and Tinkoff Premium subscribers;
• 5% for customers with no active subscriptions.

Alexander Bro, Head of Partnerships and Loyalty Programmes at Tinkoff:

“We are delighted to be Spotify’s first fintech partner. They share our vision and, just like us, are determined to provide best-in-class services for their users. Thanks to this partnership, customers now have a convenient way to manage and pay for the music service right in the Tinkoff mobile app. The process is fast and seamless: no need to link a card, no additional steps to register and pay – it all happens automatically.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Tinkoff without a good cashback deal thrown in – up to 25% on each payment. The Tinkoff mobile app is truly becoming a one-stop shop for all customer needs.”

Ilia Alekseev, Managing Director, Spotify Russia & CIS commented:

“We are very happy to team up with Tinkoff. Spotify works with strong partners across the globe to bring the rich world of music on its platform to as many listeners as possible. Now Tinkoff’s extensive customer base can enjoy premium access to Spotify’s music library of more than 70 million tracks and 4 billion playlists and easily manage their subscription to the service.”

 YouHodler, a fintech platform that helps people access the benefits of the crypto economy, has integrated with Fireblocks, a digital asset custody, transfer and settlement platform. Under the partnership, YouHodler will leverage Fireblocks for crypto transactions management and integrations with a number of protocols, including Polkadot, Tezos, and Cardano. 

YouHodler’s solutions open up connections between crypto and the real world, allowing people to use their crypto assets without spending  them. With YouHodler, users can buy and sell crypto at any time, use it for purchases or put it in a reward account generating 12% yields. In addition, they can exchange crypto, fiat and stablecoins and get instant cash and crypto loans with their crypto assets acting as collateral. Now the company partners with Fireblocks to ensure the high security level of its crypto operations. 

Fireblocks enables banks, fintechs, exchanges, and other industry players to securely manage digital assets across a wide range of products and services — it protects those digital assets in transit, focusing on securing their transmission between exchanges, counter brokers, wallets, and stores. Started with serving crypto-native institutions and exchanges, Fireblocks Network now includes over 400 participants and currently exceeds over $700 billion in transfer volume. 

“We at Fireblocks always strive for a transparent, efficient, and fraud-free financial system for blockchain based assets,” says Michael Shaulov, CEO of Fireblocks. “I’m glad to admit our missions and values largely coincide with YouHodler, and we look forward to great results of our partnership.”

Offering its crypto services, YouHodler helps people to understand and utilize the benefits of crypto assets and to avoid zero and negative interest rates on their savings with traditional banks. Unlocking the value of crypto assets, the team shares a mission of helping people stop passive holding and start using crypto assets right now, and achieving the high level of security of the operations made through YouHodler platform is crucial for its further development. 

“The announced Fireblocks integration brings us a step closer to your goal of building a consumer-centric entity that supports the coexistence of crypto and fiat for the benefit of people”, says Ilya Volkov, CEO & Founder of YouHodler. “With Fireblocks, we’ll be able to ensure the additional security of our transactions, and I believe this cooperation will benefit not only our customers, but the industry as a whole.”