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Videoslots.com Signs Supply Deal with iGaming Provider Spigo

Posted on August 11, 2018August 13, 2018 by Abe Efe

Renowned online casino operator, Videoslots.com has entered into a supply deal with independent iGaming software provider, Spigo – a deal which is expected to see to the integration of a ton of slots content. Already, in a bid to ensure that it provides its customers with nothing short of the best and the widest variety of games, Videoslots has partnered with over 70 of the most trusted online gaming software developers and providers and the newly inked partnership with Spigo is not only an extension of these efforts but also a means of expanding its already impressive portfolio.

“Spigo have made a name for themselves developing top quality, enjoyable games and we’re sure our players will enjoy the extra choice that this partnership will deliver. With an initial roll-out of proven slots titles, we hope to follow this up with the integration of further content in the coming months,” William Ahlberg, Head of Games at Videoslots, said.

The announcement was made through an official press release that revealed that Spigo’s high-spec titles brought to Videoslots customers on both desktop and mobile. All of the titles will also feature dynamic jackpots, free games, free spins as well as a variety of unique bonus games.

Spigo’s games are playable on a wide range of devices and can be played for money or just for fun. In addition to this, the software developer has also equipped these games with both single players and multiplayer gaming capabilities – this can be found on their card-based and dice-based games.

“We’re very pleased to deliver our much-loved slot machine titles to Videoslots. They’ve proven themselves as one of the most innovative online casinos around and we look forward to a successful partnership in the future. Our variety of game genres all boast premium graphics, enjoyable gameplay, and exciting bonus features and we’re sure Videoslots’ players will enjoy the titles on offer,” Caroline Maciel, Spigo’s Sales Manager said.

Videoslots.com to Offer Content from Evolution Content

Videoslots.om has also recently signed a high profile partnership deal leading supplier Evolution Gaming to integrate the software supplier’s live casino content.

“We are always looking to add high-quality content to our portfolio and Evolution Gaming has exactly that. The demand for live casino games has never been higher, so with this partnership, we are able to offer more than ever as we continue to grow our portfolio of titles,” William Ahlberg commented on the partnership.

As per the terms of the agreement, live casino offerings like roulette, blackjack, and baccarat will all be integrated by the online casino operator – the same will apply to the casino hold ‘em, three card poker and dream catcher games.

“A lot of work has gone into developing the best live offering possible, and being able to offer that through Videoslots.com is very exciting for us. Our live offerings are some of the best on the market and we are sure Videoslots.com players will love trying them out as we look to build a long relationship together,” Sebastian Johannisson, Evolution Gaming’s Chief Commercial Officer added.

First Fully Regulated Cryptocurrency Exchange Goes Live

Posted on July 31, 2018August 15, 2018 by Abe Efe

Crypto has been on a roll with a ton of new developments popping up every single day. While the nascent industry is certainly headed towards the right direction, achieving full regulatory approval is a very big deal, especially for cryptocurrency exchanges – it is even harder for them to get regulatory approval before they launch. Well, not anymore.

Liechtenstein-based Blocktrade.com has just been approved by the Finance Markets Authority and is set to be the first digital currency exchange to be open for testing – the Financial Markets Authority is a member of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). In a press release, the company confirmed that is in the process of obtaining a multilateral trading facility (MTF) license courtesy of the European Union’s MiFID II framework.

Blockrade.com’s launched the beta version for testing last week – this trial period is set to end on August 25 and will be followed by the full launch though the actual date of the launch is yet to be revealed.

“I hope early adopters will provide us with valuable feedback so that we can improve the platform even further. I believe its capability, as well as its user experience, are impressive, so I am convinced the word about our beta release will be spread widely. We are already setting up interviews with major financial, fintech and business media, so I will get a chance to talk about our development and vision for the future of finance,” Blocktrade’s CEO Luka Gubo said in a recent interview.

During the aforementioned initial testing phase, Bolcktrade.com will be offering Ethereum, bitcoin, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Ripple’s XRP trading pairs. Once the platform is fully launched later this year (around September), it will offer Security Tokens, Crypto Traded Indices and Tokenized Assets.

“We believe that if you operate an exchange and if you have an orderbook with a matching engine, you should also be regulated as an exchange. This removes the hurdles for traders (retail and institutional alike) to access the new asset class as the full MiFID II compliance makes us more transparent, reliable, trustworthy and enables equal access for all,” Gubo added.

The State of Crypto

Unfortunately, many institutional investors still regard the unregulated exchanges that dominate the crypto market as risks due to the lack of transparency. In fact, as it stands the European Union is yet to come up with a unified position and regulatory requirements for the cryptocurrency exchanges operating in the territory.

As for the MiFID II which came into effect at the beginning of 2018, the licensing process is quite explicit and will certainly do for now. To put this into perspective, it requires that the companies seeking its license prove that they have operated fairly, honestly and professionally in the best interests of the users of their platforms. The institutions also have to comply with a number of reporting, transparency and capital requirements.

Bitcoin Increases 5 Percent to $7,700. Is This It?

Posted on July 24, 2018July 23, 2018 by Abe Efe

Bitcoin, the world’s largest and most popular digital currency continued its rally yesterday, shrugging off the hoard of regulatory and security worries that have significantly dragged down its price this year. According to data from CoinDesk, the cryptocurrency’s value increased by 5 percent on Monday, July 23, to a high of $7,770.58. This further represents a 20 percent increase in value from what was recorded a week ago.

Bitcoin broke above the $7,000 mark last Tuesday for this time in over a month after news surfaced that BlackRock, an asset-management company, was planning to set up a working group for the purpose of exploring digital currencies and the underlying blockchain technology. Similarly, in a report that was written last week, Grayscale, which manages $2 billion in assets said that more institutions are beginning to take interest in crypto. This, as affirmed by Matthew Newton, an eToro analyst, adds to the long-term upside for both bitcoin and the entire crypto industry.

“In the long-run, all of these points are very bullish,” said Newton, an analyst at eToro. “Technically, on the charts, what happened last week was very positive, but getting through these levels will be critical in the short term action.”

Matthew has also expressed the immense excitement and anticipation surrounding the approval or a bitcoin ETF, which is due to be decided in August by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Largest Bull Run in History?

Bitcoin has been inspiring bullishness as it breaks resistance levels and steadily moves towards the $8,000 mark – there is already a lot of anticipation that this might turn out to be the largest bitcoin bull run ever. Spurred by news of interest from major institutions, the bullishness that has been hitting the crypto market lately is not without merit and a number of experts are beginning to weigh in on all the possibilities.

According to Romal Almazo, the cryptocurrency lead at Capco, tier 1 banks are beginning to weigh their options in regards to crypto.

“Any signs of the big players entering the market will cause huge waves. Though my personal belief is that we are still a few years away from reaching this tipping point, we are in what I would refer to as an exploratory phase when it comes to institutions and crypto,” Almazo said in an interview with Express.co.uk. “Right now, as Tier 1 banks and financial institutions explore their options, the two main things that are holding them back are the lack of regulatory oversight and the numerous risks associated with digital custody and storage. This will also mean a huge opportunity for insurers to get into the market and partner with digital custodians and digital storage providers.”

Bitcoin Price Spikes As Crypto Market Finds Momentum

Posted on July 17, 2018July 16, 2018 by Abe Efe

The past few days have been great for bitcoin as big-money investors have started looking into getting involved in crypto. Bitcoin, which is considered to be the mother of all digital currencies has gained close to four percent in the past day. This follows a week of stability in the $250 billion region which has contributed to a solid momentum that the crypto market has begun to demonstrate – in fact, it is possible the bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash have already initiated the rally that is required to propel the market towards and beyond the $300 billion mark.

Bitcoin’s Steady Rise

Starting from earlier yesterday, bitcoin’s rose by over $200 from an initial $6,300 and clocking in at just over $6,600. Considering its current price level, bitcoin is expected to see one of its most significant price upswings in two weeks, gaining close to 4 percent in value.

June was not a particularly great month for bitcoin, with the digital currency dipping below the $6,000 mark not once but twice thus setting a new all-time low record for 2018. However, things seemed to take a turn for the better at the start of July with bitcoin being on a bit of a resurgence that saw it peak at $6,800 on July 8. This upward trend was unfortunately interrupted by a single but significant pullback that saw it lose nearly all of the price gains it had attained during the first few days of July.

After that, bitcoin came dangerously close to falling below the $6,000 mark but this has since been evaded in the past few weeks. Therefore, amidst the steady growth we have seen since July 13, yesterday’s surge may be just what is needed to push its price higher towards the $6,900 resistance level.

Institutional Investors Trouping In

Bitcoin’s price upsurge has partly been attributed to the fact that the crypto space and bitcoin are beginning to become more and more appealing to investors especially due to the emergence of trading futures. Trading futures contracts is considered to be the safer and more advantageous options by traders since it is an efficient asset to hedge the price of bitcoin as it rises and falls.

“We see continued growth both in terms of the average daily volume and open interest,” said Tim McCourt, group global head of equity products and alternative investments at the Chicago-based CME Group. “The volume has steadily increased compared to when it was first launched in December. This is not a one-sided product because we have both supply and demand. Customer demand is strong because the relationship between the futures and cash market have a tight basis spread.”

New Paper Affirms Belief That Bitcoin Will Replace Fiat

Posted on July 10, 2018July 9, 2018 by Abe Efe

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have always had a massive backing which about to grow even bigger thanks to a recent study is carried out by researchers at Imperial College London. According to a paper by the researchers titled “Cryptocurrencies: Overcoming Barriers to Trust and Adoption”, bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies will be subject to massive adoption as means of paying for goods and services in the coming decade.

The study which was sponsored by eToro focused on various barriers to trust and mainstream adoption of crypto within the current setting. It further listed three main criteria that would propel bitcoin and other digital currencies towards mainstream adoption, that is, ability to act as a store of value, a medium of exchange and a unit of account. While cryptocurrencies have already fulfilled one of the criteria as they are used by millions of people around the world as a store of value, the researchers said they will have to overcome setbacks such as regulation and scalability if they are to fulfill the other two criteria.

“The world of cryptocurrency is evolving as rapidly as the considerable collection of confusing terminology that accompanies it. These decentralized technologies have the potential to upend everything we thought we knew about the nature of financial systems and financial assets,” said Professor William Knottenbelt from Imperial College London. “There’s a lot of skepticism over cryptocurrencies and how they could ever become a day-to-day payment system used by the man on the street. In this research, we show that cryptocurrencies have already made significant headway towards fulfilling the criteria for becoming a widely accepted method of payment.”

eToro, the brokerage firm that facilitated the research believes that bitcoin already exhibits all the important characteristics of money and all that is left is advocacy for mainstream use.

“The first ever bitcoin transaction took place a little over eight years ago, and today we are already seeing it begin to meet the requirements of everyday money. Given the speed of adoption, we believe that we could see Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies on the high street within the decade. There are of course barriers to mainstream adoption, but they are far from insurmountable,” Iqbal Gandham, the managing director of EToro UK commented on the research.

Regulation Is the Final Step

Many experts agree that even though bitcoin has already evolved well enough to be considered as a standard means of performing transactions, regulation is the only thing holding it back. If bitcoin and other digital currencies are to become the medium of exchange we are all hoping they will become, then favorable regulations are more than necessary. This is particularly of grave importance since some governments have taken negative stances towards cryptocurrencies especially because they have been used to facilitate criminal activities in the past. With regulation, though, this should not be much of a problem.

Facebook Reverses Ban on Some Cryptocurrency Advertisements

Posted on June 30, 2018June 30, 2018 by Abe Efe

Amid the bitcoin frenzy of January this year, social media giant Facebook Inc. made a decision to ban all cryptocurrency advertisements citing the concern that many of the companies in the crypto space at the time were not “operation in good faith.” Since then, it has been a considerably interesting time for Facebook as it struggles with coming to terms with the rapidly growing cryptocurrency market.

All things considered, while the ban may have been a genuine gesture of goodwill by the company to protect its users, the cryptocurrency space has proven time and time again that the potential it has as far as ad revenue goes is too significant to ignore. To this effect, Facebook made yet another big decision on Monday, June 26 when it announced that it was going to reverse the cryptocurrency ad ban immediately.

As expected, the period between the initial announcement of the ban on January and its eventual reversal on June 26 gave the social media platform a lot of time to review a great number of things the most important being how they would ensure that only legitimate crypto businesses get to market their products. Seen as more of caveats, the new ad policies says that the company will only allow advertisements and related content from “pre-approved advisers.” Ads promoting binary options and initial coin offerings (ICOs), on the other hand, will still remain on the not so favorable end of the company’s new crypto ad policy – they will not be allowed.

How It Is Going to Work

Facebook’s plans to only allow the so-called “pre-approved advisers” mentioned earlier by putting interested advertisers through an application that is tailored to determine whether or not they are eligible to advertise on the platform. As part of the application process, the advertisers will be asked to include the licenses they have obtained, whether they are public traded companies as well as other relevant background information regarding their businesses.

As the reversal of the crypto ad ban is still in its earlier stages, the company is yet to make it clear how thoroughly they will fact-check the information that will be provided by the advertisers. However, the company made it clear during the announcement that they would still be relying on users to pinpoint some of the content they do not allow. In essence, this implies that at least a few of the restricted crypto ads are going to make it through the screening process.

“We’ll listen to feedback, look at how well this policy works and continue to study this technology so that, if necessary, we can revise it over time,” Rob Leathern, Product Management Director wrote in Facebook’s announcement.

While many cryptocurrency users have lauded the development, the reversal of the crypto ad ban has also been subjected to some level of skepticism especially because the company has previously announced plans to venture into the cryptocurrency market.

“The reasons for Facebook reversing its decision to ban crypto ads are not clear, but the motivation could have something to do with its own strategy regarding the evolving crypto space. The cryptocurrency ecosystem is expanding rapidly and is growing its footprint in mainstream society, introducing new economic opportunities. We are also seeing regulatory authorities taking steps to provide security to the ecosystem that will, in turn, give strength to the global economy,” says Olyseum CEO, Carlos Grenoir.

The Best New Online Slot Games in 2018, So Far

Posted on June 23, 2018June 23, 2018 by Abe Efe

As it has always been, there is yet to be a casino game that can beat the sheer variety and range of slots games. There are always more and more online slots games of different varieties and themes being introduced each and every month. While there are always some disappointing variations of the games that disguise themselves in well-worn themes, you will always find a decent number of great online slot games if you look hard enough. The online space has made it very easy for these gems to be accessed from anywhere and therefore all that slot machine enthusiast have to do is to pick a reputable site to play on.

Naturally, considering how vast the online space is, it is something of a challenge in itself to find a great game as well as a great site to play on. Alongside the new slot games that are launched every month, there is also a plethora of online casinos that go live as the online casino market continues its meteoric rise.

Still, slot games are becoming more and more varied and engaging which implies that you are guaranteed of all the perks that you would get to enjoy when playing at a land-based casino. So, today I am going to give you pointers to some of the newest and the best online slot games of the year. This may, of course, change as the year progresses and more innovative and technological improvements are made – but for now, you will not go wrong with these ones.

Wrecking Ball

At first glance, this will not look like a slots game to you. The reels are arranged in four columns, with each column spotting different symbols. Perhaps the biggest highlight of the game is the eponymous wrecking ball that swings across the screen leaving behind a trail of destruction which, fortunately for the player, unravels symbols that usually amount to some huge bonuses.

In addition to this, Wrecking Ball also features a bonus game in which a player can navigate a crane and directing the wrecking ball to different buildings and uncovering more hidden goodies.

Monopoly Hot Shot

There have been several different slot versions of the popular Monopoly board game, for years but this particular variant offers something much different. Monopoly Hot Shot gives you a hybrid package of monopoly and slots while still remaining true to the conventional slots gameplay that we all know and love – it features three reels, nine pay lines as well as “hot shot” mini reels.

Beat Square

This is arguably the best slots game in 2018 – in fact, the skill-based game slots game has already scooped a number of awards including the Best Slot Product for 2018 in the Global Gaming Business magazine-sponsored Gaming and Technology Awards.

It is also the most unique game I have seen so far. This is because it does not even have reals, at least not the traditional ones that we have grown accustomed to. In place of the reels, Beat Square has 16 buttons arranged in a four by four grid that light up to music. The player’s task is to get with the rhythm of the music that will be playing in the course of the game. Hitting the right buttons results in a big payout.

Reserve Bank of India Admits That Crypto Ban Was Uninformed

Posted on June 16, 2018June 16, 2018 by Abe Efe

On April 5 this year, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a controversial decree requiring all of the country’s regulated financial institutions to stop providing services to business dealing in crypto within a three month period. According to the bank, the move was formally meant to protect consumers and prevent money laundering – going forward, the bank would be forming a working group was going to be tasked with studying the feasibility of issuing a state-backed cryptocurrency.

As it turns out, evidence has surfaced pointing out that the RBI has not made any serious effort towards studying the principles, the nature and the usage of cryptocurrencies. Prior to the crypto ban, no internal committee had been formed to investigate the purported risks associated with crypto trading and, as such, the ban was not backed by a substantiated decision from experts.

Naturally, the decision to ban the cryptocurrencies did not sit well with Indian cryptocurrency traders and exchanges. While some of the cryptocurrency trading platforms have decided to shift their operations to other crypto-friendly jurisdictions, many others opted to challenge the ban in the Supreme Court.

“The foremost reason we are fighting is because we know that banning is next to impossible and it will make things worse for everyone – for the Reserve Bank, for the government, for the tax department, and for the user. In addition, it will push India back in reference to blockchain adoption across the world. We always have an option to relocate to another country to carry our business, but that’s not the solution. If we cannot convince our own government, we cannot expect other governments to support us,” said Mr. Kunal Barchha, the co-founder of Coinrecoil, an Indian-based digital asset trading platform.

The proponents of crypto India have based their argument on the fact that Central banks do not have the authority to restrict or bank regulated commercial banks from dealing with any industry unless the said industry is declared as completely illegal.

RBI Eyeing Its Own Cryptocurrency

The government of India has not yet declared cryptocurrencies as illegal, and this makes the case for the entire crypto industry in the country. Furthermore, the RBI has been reportedly considering the idea of launching its own cryptocurrency and this is a sign of a possible reversal of the crypto ban. If this is true, the bank and the government can certainly not ban cryptocurrencies simply because they also intend to move into the space.

According to Ripple’s Global head of infrastructure, Dilip Rao, the RBI’s plans to launch a digital currency will definitely reshape the country’s financial landscape in case it comes to pass.

“There is a great regulatory comfort with Ripple Net, particularly in the light of the Bank for International Settlements’ policy requiring central banks to have a backup for payment systems having non-similar technology,” Mr. Rao said in a June 15 report that was published in the Times of India.

U.S., Canada Regulators Launch Crackdown on Crypto Fraud

Posted on May 26, 2018May 26, 2018 by Abe Efe

Governments, regulators, and researchers are finally bringing to the light some of the less talked about issues in crypto space thanks to recent developments such as the Chinese study that unearthed the fact that there had been 421 token sales. This is a pretty huge number and in light of many other scandals of a similar kind and magnitude within the same space, regulators in Canada and the United States have recently launched a crackdown on fraudulent Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs).

The crackdown operation that was dubbed “Operation Cryptosweep” by the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) involved a series of coordinated enforcement actions by state and provincial securities that were intended to clamp down on fraudulent cryptocurrency related investments as well as the entities that were backing them. Among the participants of this operation were regulatory entities from over 40 jurisdictions across North America. So far, Operation Cryptosweep has yielded about 70 inquiries and investigations alongside 35 enforcement actions that have either been completed or are pending.

“Not every ICO or cryptocurrency-related investment is fraudulent, but we urge investors to approach any initial coin offering or cryptocurrency-related investment product with extreme caution,” said Joseph Borg, NASAA President and Director of the Alabama Securities Commission. “The persistently expanding exploitation of the crypto ecosystem by fraudsters is a significant threat to Main Street investors in the United States and Canada, and NASAA members are committed to combating this threat. Despite a series of public warnings from securities regulators at all levels of government, crypto criminals need to know that state and provincial securities regulators are taking swift and effective action to protect investors from their schemes and scams.”

In addition to participating in NASAA’s efforts, the state and provincial regulators will be collaborating with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to ensure that the organization’s goals of providing a safe crypto space are met.

Praise from All the Right Places

NASAA’s efforts have been lauded by a number of stakeholders operating in or in association with the cryptocurrency space – these include traders, crypto experts, and even members of the mainstream financial industry. Among the most notable supporters of NASAA’s initiative is Jay Clayton, the United States Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) chairman, who went as far as releasing a statement expressing his delight in NASAA’s execution of the crackdown.

“I applaud our fellow regulators in the United States and Canada who are coordinating and participating in efforts to police fraud in the Initial Coin Offering (ICO) markets. These state and provincial regulators play a critical role in protecting Main Street investors.” Clayton said in the statement. “The enforcement actions being announced by NASAA should be a strong warning to would-be fraudsters in this space that many sets of eyes are watching, and that regulators are coordinating on an international level to take strong actions to deter and stop fraud.”

SlotsMillion Expands Its Portfolio with 100+ IGT Slot Titles

Posted on May 15, 2018May 15, 2018 by Abe Efe

ALEA-operated SlotsMillion has signed a new content agreement with IGT that will see the expansion of the top-rated rated slots operators’ already impressive portfolio. As per the terms of the agreement, SlotsMillion will be integrating over 100 of IGT’s online slot games.

Players based in the United Kingdom will now be able to access more than 50 IGT games including the popular Cleopatra and Wild Wolf right from their desktops and mobile devices – they will have access to more than 70 on their desktops and 50 on their mobile phones.

ALEA was founded in 2012 with the goal of offering players world-class casino gaming experiences. The operator’s primary focus is the design and development of new technologies that drive the engagement of players.

“No game portfolio is complete without IGT’s classic and modern slots, and we are thrilled to be able to offer them to players across SlotsMillion and LadyLucks. It was a logical step to add IGT to the ALEA platform. IGT knows how to build games that stand the test of time, games that keep players engaged and entertained for years on end,” Alexandre Tomic, the co-founder of ALEA said in a press release.

IGT has earned a great reputation for being a leading end-to-end gaming company with a vast array of partnerships with a number of popular gaming and lottery providers from all around the world. The company offers its customers, that is, the interactive gaming providers, with a diverse online portfolio of proven player favorite titles as well as a variety of modern new titles which features unique gameplay and outstanding designs.

“We are pleased that our customers at ALEA extended their current offerings to include IGT’s content. Their players can now enjoy some of the industry’s most celebrated slot games of all time, along with premium licensed titles and innovative IGT game concepts,” said Gianluca Ballocci, IGT’s Vice President Commercial Interactive Sales, and B2C Operations.

Author: Abe Efe