New patent applications from MasterCard show that one of the largest credit card operators looks at the blockchain as a way to make the calculations more simple and quick. In a patent application published last week in the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the company describes a database on a blockchain that can instantly process payments, ensuring that sellers do not need to wait a few days to receive funds for their goods.

This week, the dispute between the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Coinbase again worsened as the magistrate in charge of the case accepted the IRS side. Last Thursday in California, the two organizations met in court to continue litigation over the controversial case, which began almost a year ago. At recent hearings, the IRS proposal for a tax audit of Coinbase customers was discussed, which used the platform from 2013 to 2015. At the last hearing, US Justice Jacqueline Scott Corley noted that she approves the arguments put forward by the IRS, and considers the verification justified.

Michael Novogratz, former head of the hedge fund of the Fortress Investment Group, who recently became a cryptocurrency investor, noted that he believes that institutional investors are only a few weeks from the mass adoption of Bitcoin and the Ethereum. 

Dragonchain, a blockchain-start-up company founded by Disney, managed to raise about $ 13.7 million with the help of the initial coin offering (ICO). As indicated on the project site, during the two-stage crowdsale 30 521 ETH and 622.47 BTC were collected. In the course of the pre-session, which began in August, the start-up managed to attract about 1.4 million dollars (152.25 BTC and 2357.53 ETH). The main stage of the token was completed at the end of last week.

The State Electric Power Company of China refutes rumors that they are cutting off miners in Sichuan province for mining Bitcoins. A few hours ago, a rumor was spread that the state grid of the country was going to cut off all those who are producing Bitcoins in Sichuan province from the power grids on the grounds that it is illegal activity. Sichuan has long been the main mining center in China. Since the province has a lot of hydroelectric power stations, due to this there is very cheap electricity. Many transfer their mining centers to Sichuan and sublet them.

With what only predictions of Bitcoin prices we have not encountered lately! 

Even before bitcoin was invented, the British economist John Maynard Keynes developed a technique of calculation the annual interest rate of the crypto currency. According to experts, now it is about 57%. Born June 5, 1883 in English Cambridge, Keynes witnessed a tumultuous period in British history. After passing through the Boer War, both world wars and the world economic depression, he passed away on April 21, 1946. During his life he became famous as one of the world's leading economists. His most famous work is The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money, which was published in 1936 and became a model for future economic thought.

The Commission of Experts of the Bureau of Customs and Border Control of the United States (CBP) is studying the applicability of the blockchain and how it can be used within the agency's work. According to the published report, the working group was established by the Advisory Committee of Commercial Customs Operations (COAC) in September. Originally it was established by the COAC and the Bureau of Customs and Border Control to identify issues related to new technologies or the promotion of existing technologies that will affect trade.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a statement that calls public support for various ICO celebrities of all kinds "potentially illegal" and warns that "stars" who thus advertise tokens may be held responsible for violating federal securities laws. In a joint statement issued by the SEC's special unit dealing with violations in the ICO and the SEC Office for Supervision and Verification, it is written that public support for celebrity ICO potentially violates the rules for securities regulation, since they do not properly disclose the source and amount of compensation paid for an advertising campaign.

The largest economy of the European Union finally reacted to the booming ICO in the world. The Federal Office of Financial Supervision of Germany (BaFin) warned investors about the risks associated with participation in the ICO, as this is a "very speculative form of investment." The financial regulator in its statement urged investors to be cautious about the risks and be prepared for a complete loss of money, as a high level of public interest in ICO attracts scammers.