a16z’s first global office will be in London due to ‘predictable’ environment

Renowned venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) is opening its first global office in London due to a “predictable” regulatory environment.

The decision to expand comes in the wake of growing regulatory challenges faced by crypto firms in the United States. Chris Dixon, a16z's crypto founder and managing partner, highlighted the importance of a predictable business environment as a key factor behind the...

12 June 2023 | Altcoins

Alex Reinhardt, PLC Ultima: On building a crypto ecosystem for ‘daily life’

PLC Ultima aims to spread opportunity with an ecosystem that anyone can use in their daily lives.

The Block caught up with Alex Reinhardt, Founder of PLC Ultima, to learn more about the project and get the crypto expert’s views on the uncertain regulatory environment.

The Block: How is PLC Ultima bridging the gap between traditional business and crypto? 

Alex Reinhardt: I originally conceived PLC Ultima as a universal financial instrument that can be...

23 August 2022 | Altcoins

Binance slapped with $3.3M fine by Dutch central bank

Cryptocurrency exchange Binance has been slapped with a $3.3 million fine by the central bank of the Netherlands.

The central bank, De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), issued Binance Holdings with the fine after the exchange failed to gain regulatory approval to operate in the country.

Companies that want to offer crypto services in the Netherlands are obliged to register with the DNB under the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Prevention Act.

The fine for...

18 July 2022 | Altcoins

European startups ready to capitalise on enterprise blockchain opportunity, says new report

The European blockchain startup market is catching up to its North American equivalent, with startups surveyed looking to raise €350 million (£314.9m) in the next 18 months, according to a new report.

The study, from Anglo-French venture capital firm LeadBlock Partners, aims to put a positive spin on the industry illustrated with more than 20 interviews and more than 9,000 datapoints.

A foreword from LeadBlock management Jean-Marc Puel, David Chreng-Messembourg and...

7 July 2020 | Digital Transformation