A new milestone for Bitcoin, COVID hits conference, Buterin’s DOGE payday: Hodler’s Digest, June 6–12

Coming every Saturday, Hodlers Digest will help you track every single important news story that happened this week.

Pronouncements from the G-7 allow green fintech to flourish

Sustainability and the need to lessen climate change amid the COVID-19 pandemic have become the global economic agenda. After debating the issue for over eight years, the secretary-general of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Mathias Cormann, welcomed a historic international agreement by G-7 finance ministers from the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy and Canada on key elements of global tax reform designed to address the tax challenges related to the digitalization and the globalization of the economy amid the world economy digitizing at a fast pace with the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic.Related: Not like before: Digital currencies debut amid COVID-19The agreement mandates that the largest multinational tech giants pay their fair share of tax in the countries in which they operate, at a global minimum rate of at least 15%.

Wall Street Giants Want to Be Your Landlord – Data Shows Megabanks Are Buying up All the US Real Estate

Homebuyers in the United States have found difficulties acquiring single-family homes after the year-long business shutdowns and lockdowns that followed Covid-19.

COVID ‘Hotspot’ Claims after Some Miami Bitcoin Conference Attendees Fall Ill

Source: iStock/da-kuk The recent Miami Bitcoin 2021 conference has been making the headlines for all the wrong reasons – after a number of attendees tested positive for COVID-19, with some reporting they had been hospitalized with symptoms. Among those taken ill after the event last weekend were Eric Wall, of Arcane Research, who tweeted that he had been to a hospital for a scan on his lungs

Bitcoin 2021 attendees’ positive COVID-19 tests are going viral

Social distancing, mask mandates, and proof of vaccination were not required to attend the event. Some of the attendees who attended the Bitcoin 2021 event in Miami last weekend have tested positive for Covid-19 after returning home from the conference, leading to a wave of negative media coverage and social media speculation it could turn into a “super spreader event.”Bloomberg called Miami Bitcoin a "Covid hot spot" while Gizmodo reported the conference "May be the latest COVID-19 super spreader event."Arcane Research CIO, Eric Wall, was among those to contract the virus, tweeting earlier today that he underwent a CT-scan after suffering from a “high fever” and “chest pains,” with medical staff having suspected he may have a blood clot in his lungs.

Sotheby's auction sets new world record for $11.8M CryptoPunk sale

“NFTs are dead,” said the previous owner of the COVID Alien artwork once the auction closed. Luxury auction house Sotheby’s made waves on social media on Thursday following the sale of one rare CryptoPunk.In a tweet from Sotheby’s, the auction said CryptoPunk #7523 — also known as “COVID Alien” — sold in its London salesroom for roughly $11.8 million.

US Pharmacy Chain Pharmcorx Accepts Cryptocurrency for Fast Covid Testing

Progressive Care, a company that operates a chain of pharmacies in the United States, has announced it’s now accepting cryptocurrency for its Covid-19 rapid testing services.

Progressive Care Now Accepting Bitcoin Payments For COVID-19 Rapid Testing

US citizens can now pay for rapid COVID-19 testing using bitcoin, thanks to the personalized healthcare services and technology company, Progressive Care. 

Miami Pharmacy Accepts Bitcoin for COVID Tests As Conference Rolls into Town

Progressive Care announces that it accepts Bitcoin for COVID tests on the opening day of Miami’s Bitcoin conference.

‘Largest Bitcoin event in history’ Bitcoin 2021 kicks off in Miami

The Bitcoin 2021 main conference day is kicking off today, featuring mayor Francis Suarez, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, MicroStrategy CEO Michael Saylor and many others. Bitcoin 2021, the biggest Bitcoin event in history with a sold-out crowd of at least 12,000 attendees in Miami, is kicking off with some of the world’s biggest industry players.The conference will be one of the largest crypto gatherings to emerge following the COVID-19 pandemic, with organizers expecting more than 50,000 attendees.

What to expect from the Miami Bitcoin 2021 conference

Miami is about to host thousands of attendees for the Bitcoin 2021 conference — here are some of the major appearances and talking points to watch for. From Thursday through Saturday, a throng of crypto faithful will gather at the Mana Wynwood Convention Center in Miami for the Bitcoin 2021 conference. Bitcoin 2021 perhaps holds even greater significance than usual, as participants can gather in a physical location after COVID-19 restrictions forced many other crypto conferences to go virtual.This year’s conference boasts a stellar cast of members of Congress, celebrities, cryptographers, CEOs and other crypto proponents, with the total attendance anticipated to exceed 50,000 people.Some of the personalities expected at the event include Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, Bitcoin (BTC) permabull and MicroStrategy CEO Michael Saylor, Twitter’s Jack Dorsey and the Winklevoss twins — Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss — among others.Mayor Suarez recently revealed that he bought Bitcoin after the United States Senate passed its $1.9 trillion stimulus bill back in March.Bitcoin 2021 will also see pro-crypto government officials like Wyoming Sen.

Ruling Russian Party Conducts Blockchain-Powered Online Primaries

Source: AdobeStock / Виталий Сова Blockchain-powered voting concluded for United Russia (known locally as ER) Party primaries over the weekend, with many staying away from polling booths due to the COVID-19 pandemic – instead favoring online platforms that make use of votes registered on a blockchain protocol. ER is Russia’s ruling party and holds 336 of the State Duma’s 450

Home Crypto Mining Spikes in Brazil Amid Record High Unemployment

With rising unemployment rates and rampant economic uncertainty, in the wake of the Covid crisis, a growing number of Brazilians are finding an alternative income source in cryptocurrency mining.

'COVID-19 Accelerated Digital Currency Adoption': The Economist Intelligence Unit

New data suggests that the pandemic has accelerated the trend towards adopting digital currencies.

Banks cautious about crypto ahead of COVID-19 testimony before US Senate

CEOs of major American banking institutions are heading to Washington to face legislators' questions about how they will aid a post-pandemic economic recovery. Major Wall Street bank executives will appear before the United States Senate Banking Committee on Wednesday to discuss the role of their financial institutions in the recovery of the American economy.Democratic lawmakers plan to grill a number of major bank execs, whose firms saw record profits during the COVID-19 pandemic while average Americans struggled to make ends meet. In prepared testimonies posted on Tuesday, CEOs at the Bank of America, Citigroup and Wells Fargo described their respective banks' responses to major challenges such as inequality, diversity, climate change, taxes, as well as how their banks handle cryptocurrencies. This year saw a record bull run in cryptocurrency markets as major financial institutions opened up to digital assets, adding trading desks and custody wings to handle client interests in major cryptos like Bitcoin (BTC).In his testimony, Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan said that the bank is continuing to evaluate the benefits, risks and client demand for crypto-related products and services.

Fed’s Daily Tapering Increases by 23%- Tuesday’s Reverse Repo Removes $432 Billion from Market

Since well before the onset of Covid-19, the US Federal Reserve had initiated monetary easing policies and from then on, the M1 Money Stock supply skyrocketed to levels never-before-seen in history.

Buterin Not Getting Tax Write-Off For SHIB India COVID-19 Relief Donation

Vitalik Buterin. Source: a video screenshot, Youtube, Business Insider Singapore-based Ethereum (ETH) Co-founder Vitalik Buterin said he will not get a tax write-off on his donation of 50trn shiba inu (SHIB) tokens to support India’s Crypto COVID Relief Fund.

'Crypto for COVID': Indian neobank aims to feed those affected by pandemic

In the middle of a spike in cases, more than 4,000 people are dying in India every day as a direct result of the pandemic. Cashaa, a crypto banking platform with physical branches across India, is launching an initiative aimed at bringing crypto enthusiasts together to provide food supplies to those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.According to an announcement from Cashaa on Tuesday, the platform’s "Crypto for COVID" plan involves building a community of crypto users who will give underprivileged families in India the food they need for a month.

COVID Forces Chinese Internet Cafes to Turn into Crypto Mining Hubs

Chinese internet cafe owners are turning their businesses into crypto mining centers as social distancing measures continue to bite in the Middle Kingdom. According to The Time Weekly, via Sina, a huge number of the 24-hour internet cafes, created primarily for PC gamers, closed down in 2020 – when the coronavirus pandemic forced businesses to shut their doors.

Ethereum Co-Founder Vitalik Buterin Burns $6.7 Billion in Shiba Inu (SHIB) Tokens

Vitalik Buterin has burned 90% of his Shiba Inu holdings and has pledged to give the remaining 10% to charity organizations battling COVID-19.

Defying COVID-19: Blockchain events make an in-person return

Due to the pandemic, many global events have been canceled, but some conferences can still be visited in 2021. The year 2020, for most of the inhabitants of our planet, was passed in lockdowns or quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic; many were forced to stay at home.

Blockchain sector drives female participation through funding and education

Blockchain companies are seeking out women-led teams for funding rounds to help close the financial gender gap, but will this suffice? While it’s encouraging to see that the number of female crypto investors is on the rise, women participation within the blockchain technology sector remains low. This was recently confirmed in a report from the World Economic Forum, which found that the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed back gender parity by an entire generation.

Ethereum's Vitalik Buterin Donates His Meme Coins to Fund Covid-19 Charity Initiatives

Vitalik Buterin donated a huge chunk of dog-themed cryptocurrencies to various non-profit organizations, including the India COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Official Remittance Inflows to Zimbabwe Surged to $1 Billion After Covid-19 Restrictions Forced Migrants to Use Formal Channels

Cross border remittances into Zimbabwe surged to $1 billion in 2020, more than a 36% increase from the $636m that was recorded in 2019.

Vitalik Buterin Donates $1B Worth of Shiba Inu Tokens to India’s Crypto Covid Relief Fund

On Wednesday, Ethereum’s Vitalik Buterin took control of his stack of Shiba Inu, a dogecoin ERC20 token, and donated more than 1 billion dollars worth of the currency to India’s Crypto Covid Relief Fund.

Mastercard Payment Index: More Consumers in Three African Countries Plan to Use Crypto Based Payment Methods

According to a recent Mastercard payment index report, the Covid-19 related lockdowns helped spread the use of cryptocurrency in three African countries, namely Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa.

Biden Economics: US Jobs Report Lackluster, Unemployment Extensions Hammer Supply Chain, Americans Want More Stimulus

Recent headlines in numerous publications claim the US economy is set for rapid expansion and a “post Covid boom” thanks to Joe Biden’s economic plans.

Blockchain tech has a solution to secure your email

Email built on top of a blockchain platform might provide more communications security than centralized alternatives. The global COVID-19 pandemic has definitely created a clear delineation of remote work: The reliability of a company lies in its email service provider for all forms of communication. Let’s start with the origin of email.

Australian Cricket Legend Brett Lee Joins Sportsbet.io in Donating Bitcoin to Help the Covid Crisis in India

Australian cricket legend Brett Lee and leading sportsbook Sportsbet have donated 1 Bitcoin each in an effort to provide much-needed aid to India during the ongoing Covid pandemic crisis.

Binance charity fund is the latest to contribute to India's COVID relief efforts

Binance charity recently announced its efforts to contribute to the India COVID relief efforts, by aiding with oxygen supply operations.

Brett Lee and Sportsbet.io ‘bowl a Bitcoin’ as Community Supports Covid Crisis in India

[Press Release – April 30th, 2021,Tallinn, Estonia] Sportsbet.io and Australian cricket legend Brett Lee are both ‘bowling a Bitcoin’ to help bring much-needed medical supplies and support to India during the ongoing Covid crisis in the country.

Ticketing platforms use blockchain to engage with customers post-pandemic

Will blockchain technology help revitalize the concert and event industry through customer engagement? The year 2020 was certainly lonely for many people around the world, as the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the cancellation of almost all social events and gatherings.

Crypto Fundaiser for India's Second COVID Wave Raises $3.3 Million

The past year has been good for crypto investors.

How The VeChain Based E-HCert App Will Mitigate Covid-19 In Cyprus

A solution based on VeChain will help people in Cyprus to combat Covid-19.

Polygon co-founder raises $2.2M for India COVID-19 relief

COVID-19 has infected more than 17.6 million people in India.

Vitalik Buterin and Balaji Srinivasan Donate to Indian Covid Relief Fund Despite Country’s Intentions to Ban Cryptos

The covid-19 crisis is worsening every day in India, as the country keeps hitting record daily numbers of cases and its death toll.

Ethereum creator donates 100 Ether and Maker to Indian COVID-19 relief

Vitalik Buterin made the donation after the co-founder of Polygon set up a charity drive to aid COVID-19 relief amid India's second coronavirus wave. Ethereum creator Vitalik Buterin has contributed 100 Ether (ETH) and 100 MKR tokens to a COVID-19 relief fund for India as the country finds itself embroiled in the virus’s second wave.

Two Major Hotels in Touristic Spanish City to Accept Crypto Payments in the Wake of Covid-19 Crisis

Sevilla is becoming a crypto-friendly city in Spain at a fast pace, with two prominent local hotels announcing they will start accepting crypto payments.

Asia-Pacific’s solarized digitalization agenda in pandemic times

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of digitalization has become central to achieving sustainability and lessening climate change. The virtual 7th Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Forum was jointly hosted by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan and the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network with the theme “Enabling Resilience for All: The Critical Decade to Scale-up Action.” The forum took place in March and was held to formulate national adaptation planning for science and technology, and energy and fiscal policies that consider the interlinkages between climate change, health and biodiversity. These nature- and ecosystem-based policies will serve as the basis for the Asia-Pacific region’s contributions to the Leaders Summit on Climate in the United States; the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP 15) in Kunming, China; and the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in Glasgow, Scotland. The Asia-Pacific region accounts for 60% of the global population (around 4.3 billion people).

Fintech CEO Pleads Guilty to ICO and COVID-19 Loan Fraud in the US

Taiwanese national Justin Cheng has pled guilty to multiple counts of fraud involving $7M COVID-19 relief funds and ICO scams.

ICO fraudster pleads guilty to $7m Covid-relief loan scam

An ICO fraudster spent more than $7 million in fraudulently obtained covid relief on luxury personal expenses, including a Rolex, a luxury apartment, and a new Mercedes.