COVID-19
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus in 2019. The virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or exhales. Blockchain technology's immutable feature and transparent nature can be used for tracking public health data surveillance.
Bitcoin's Popularity Sees Surge in Marijuana and Video Game Transactions During Coronavirus Lockdown
The coronavirus-induced lockdown has influenced an increased use case of Bitcoin. Sales of video games and cannabis using Bitcoin have seen a significant rise during the lockdown. The pandemic has revealed consumers’ priorities, as online sales of general digital products saw a decline, while video gamers and marijuana users have increasingly turned to Bitcoin during the virus outbreak.
World Economic Forum Launches New Blockchain Toolkit for Supply Chains to Support the World Through Post-COVID Economic Recovery
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has just released its Blockchain Deployment Toolkit, aiming to enable companies of any size to be able to maximize the benefits of integrating blockchain technology in the supply chain sector. The toolkit allows companies to be able to get a better idea of how to handle deploying blockchain technology in regards to supply chain uses.
Bloomberg Report: COVID Stock Market Shake-Out Accelerating Bitcoin Maturation Into Digital Gold
A new report from international news agency Bloomberg indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic’s shake-out of the stock market may be accelerating Bitcoin’s maturation into a new kind of digital gold.
World Sustainability Organization Adopts Blockchain-Based Virtual Audits to Curb COVID-19 Spread
With coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention measures necessitating self-isolation and social distancing, Friend of the Sea (FOS), a World Sustainability Organization’s project for seafood certification, has embraced blockchain-enabled virtual audits to mitigate the expansion of this pandemic. As a result, FOS has eradicated onsite scrutinies because safety is of the essence during these trying times.
British University Reveals Blockchain-Enabled Digital Certificate to Water Down COVID-19 Dangers Across Supply Chains
Birmingham City University (BCU) in the United Kingdom is testing the waters with a blockchain-based digital safety certificate to safeguard consumers and suppliers from risks triggered by coronavirus (COVID-19). The digital certificate dubbed the Coronavirus Clearance Certificate (CCC), will be instrumental in reassuring stakeholders across supply chains that goods offered are risk-free.
Is Bitcoin’s True Power Being Revealed as COVID-19 Market Crisis Sends Oil Futures Price Below Zero?
As WTI crude oil futures plummeted into negative territory, the pioneer cryptocurrency Bitcoin hardly seemed to notice, recording only a minor correction and dipping under 7k.
Coinbase CEO: Americans are Investing Their COVID Stimulus Checks in Bitcoin
Brian Armstrong, the CEO of US-based crypto exchange Coinbase, has revealed data showing how $1,200 deposits similar to the stimulus checks being offered to Americans by the government has skyrocketed this week. Coinbase is the leading crypto exchange in the American soil.
Spanish Researchers Deploy AI and Blockchain-Powered App to Tame COVID-19
At least 100 Spanish researchers from the University of Salamanca, the Artificial Intelligent Research Institute, and the Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca have joined hands to design an AI and blockchain-based app to picture the evolution of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Their objective is flattening this pandemic’s curve as it has wreaked havoc across the globe.
Can US Lawmakers Really Just Mint Two $1 Trillion Coins to Back a Digital Dollar COVID Stimulus with "No Additional Debt"?
As the economy continues to deteriorate in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic climate, US Lawmakers are once again pitching the creation of a sovereign digital dollar to quickly distribute the proposed stimulus packages. The bill further proposed the new minting of two trillion dollar coins.
First Chinese State-Backed Blockchain Firm "Tainted" the Nation's Image Due to the Export of Faulty COVID-19 Medical Supplies
Tus Data Asset, a blockchain firm based in Beijing, has been banned by the Chinese government from exporting medical supplies to other countries during the coronavirus pandemic.
Will Bitcoin Survive? IMF Predicts Worst Economy Since "Great Depression" in Aftermath of COVID-19 Global Lockdown
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released its quarterly World Economic Outlook for 2020 which paints a bleak picture on how the disruptive economic effects of the COVID-19 virus global quarantine measures, dubbed the ‘Great Lockdown’, will continue to cripple the markets long after the pandemic ends.
FinTech Giants PayPal, Intuit and Square Capital Approved to Digitally Distribute US Govt COVID-19 Small Business Stimulus
PayPal, Square and Intuit have received the government’s approval to take part in the US Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program which was established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic triggered global financial crisis.
Facebook Sues Bangkok 'LeadCloak' Software Developer Over Alleged Crypto Scams and Bogus COVID-19 Data
Facebook has sued a Bangkok software engineer whose firm offered software designed to bypass ad review systems and push deceptive ads to run on the media platform.
Bitcoin Online Courses Skyrocket by 300% in The Wake of Coronavirus
Many people are enrolling for cryptocurrency and Bitcoin online courses as coronavirus (COVID-19) has necessitated measures like quarantines, social distancing and lockdowns. As the world continues grappling with this infectious disease, people have been made to change their daily lifestyles and settle for alternatives like the online space for knowledge acquisition.
Can We Expect a Bitcoin Bull Run Amid the Upcoming Bitcoin Halving and Coronavirus Pandemic?
The next Bitcoin halving is expected to take place in May 2020. Each time Bitcoin halving takes place, the number of Bitcoins entering circulation every 10 minutes, also known as block rewards will fall to half, to 6.25 from 12.5 in May. As the amount of supply, Bitcoins are decreasing, the demand most likely will stay the same, but possibly lead to an increase in Bitcoin’s price. Experts believe that there will be less Bitcoin available in the market if the miners will be selling less of the cryptocurrency.