Crypto Finally Gets Its Own ‘Shark Tank’

Hi NoRamp Community,

Daily News:

1) Crypto Finally Gets Its Own ‘Shark Tank’

2) Monei Kicks-Off EURM Stablecoin Pilot in Spain

3) Bitcoin Champion Nayib Bukele Clinches Re-Election in El Salvador

4) Canoe Intelligence Appoints Former CIA, Noel Calhoun As New CTO

5) Raymond James to Deploy ICE Lending Solution Encompass

Crypto finally gets its own ‘Shark Tank’:

• The upcoming "Killer Whales" show, contrasting earlier frothy crypto manias, aims to provide a more grounded insight into the Web3 startup scene without direct investment deals, focusing instead on advice and exposure for crypto projects.

• "Killer Whales," created by Paul Caslin and Hello Labs, is presented as a crypto-centric version of "Shark Tank" and "Dragon's Den," where crypto entrepreneurs pitch to a panel of "whales" for advice and public exposure, rather than investment, emphasizing the educational and entertainment aspects of the crypto industry.

• The show aims to make the crypto space more relatable and understandable to mainstream audiences by avoiding direct discussions of investment and focusing on business models, roadmaps, and project utility, with a selection process aimed at showcasing a diverse range of projects and providing a template for due diligence in the crypto sector.

Monei Kicks-Off EURM Stablecoin Pilot in Spain:

• Monei has initiated the pilot testing of its euro-backed stablecoin, EURM, in Spain, in partnership with major financial institutions and under the supervision of the Bank of Spain's Financial Sandbox, aiming to explore and expand digital payment solutions within regulatory frameworks.

• The pilot allows a select group of users to test the EURM stablecoin by depositing, sending, and receiving euros, backed 1:1 and stored in Spanish financial institutions, with transactions facilitated through mobile phone numbers after a video KYC process.

• This initiative is part of broader efforts by Spain to digitize payments, including previous tests for a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) and ongoing research into a digital Euro to enhance financial inclusion, facilitate cross-border payments, and address concerns related to offline payments and privacy.

Bitcoin Champion Nayib Bukele Clinches Re-Election in El Salvador:

• Nayib Bukele, celebrated for his pro-Bitcoin policies, has been re-elected as President of El Salvador, securing over 85% of the vote, reflecting strong domestic support despite international criticism, particularly from the IMF. Bukele's administration is known for reducing gang violence and adopting Bitcoin as legal tender, a global first.

• Bukele's commitment to cryptocurrency includes the launch of the Chivo crypto wallet and plans to issue Bitcoin-backed "Volcano bonds" for financing renewable energy-powered Bitcoin mining, aiming to further integrate Bitcoin into El Salvador's economy.

• While El Salvador's adoption of Bitcoin has positioned it as a leader in national cryptocurrency adoption, it has also faced challenges, such as high transaction fees during periods of increased demand, highlighting the practical difficulties of using Bitcoin for everyday transactions.

Canoe Intelligence Appoints Former CIA, Noel Calhoun As New CTO:

• Canoe Intelligence, a New York-based fintech providing AI solutions for data management in alternative investments, has appointed Noel Calhoun, a former CIA analyst and experienced CTO, as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to lead its technical strategy and development of new products.

• Calhoun brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles as CTO at Onsights.io, Interos, and Kensho Technologies, coupled with 13 years at the CIA leading data science and machine learning teams, aiming to leverage machine learning to create significant value at Canoe Intelligence.

• Alongside Calhoun, Tiffany Mosher Taylor has been named as the new Head of People, tasked with strategic talent acquisition, employee development, and fostering business partnerships, joining during a period of increased demand for private market investment data automation.

Raymond James to Deploy ICE Lending Solution Encompass:

• Raymond James Bank (RJF), based in Florida, US, has entered into a partnership with ICE Mortgage Technology, a cloud-based lending platform, to adopt its Encompass digital software, aimed at enhancing mortgage lending services for high-net-worth clients.

• ICE Mortgage Technology, a subsidiary of Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), offers comprehensive technology solutions that automate the mortgage process from customer initiation to loan registration. RJF plans to leverage the Encompass platform for originating mortgages through retail and delegated correspondent lending channels.

• This collaboration builds on RJF's existing use of other ICE solutions, such as the Mortgage Electronic Registration System (MERS) and ICE Data Services, emphasizing the seamless integration of Encompass into their operations. The partnership underscores ICE Mortgage Technology's commitment to simplifying the home financing process through technological innovation and data management.

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