The CryptoNewsAudio Podcast

Until recently, cryptocurrencies were relatively mysterious to the general public of consumers, merchants and retailers who were unaware of the advantages that blockchain technologies could have in easing and securing private transactions. But free markets abhor vacuums, and several public companies are advancing programs to educate and bring the broader public into cryptocurrency transactions. SinglePoint, Inc. (SING) is aggressively making strategic acquisitions in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space, while an increasing number of recognizable industry behemoths like Overstock.com, Inc. (OSTK), Microsoft, Inc. (MSFT) and Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) are delving into cryptocurrencies and blockchain. Others like Starbucks Corp. (SBUX) have expressed optimism in its potential for consumer transactions, though stopping short of accepting bitcoin as payment.

One of the primary goals of the current U.S. Administration is to revamp the country’s failing infrastructure, especially internal waterways vital for transporting a vast range of goods, including grain, steel, coal and petroleum products. Blockchain technology can play a crucial role in this process, and the federal government already investigating the potential implementation of the technology to streamline construction. Recently approved as a government contractor for the State of Utah, Petroteq Energy, Inc. (OTCQX: PQEFF) (TSX.V: PQE) (FRANKFURT: MW4A) has integrated blockchain into its operations, poised to take advantage of blockchain’s impact on the oil and gas market, as well as infrastructure. Other enterprises focused on developing solutions in the blockchain space include 360 Blockchain, Inc. (OTC: BKLLF) (CODE: CNX), BTL Group Ltd. (OTC: BTLLF) (TSX.V: BTL), Hive Blockchain Technologies Ltd. (TSX.V: HIVE) and Marathon Patent Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: MARA).

Less than a decade ago, blockchain sounded like the fodder of science fiction; today, the technology is demonstrating its ability to revolutionize the finance industry. By stepping outside the existing payment structures, blockchain provides a new and secure way to execute financial transactions. The use of the technology is rapidly expanding, and because of the innovative nature of the technology, its wide-ranging possibilities are being explored and developed by a range of companies with unique objectives. Some, such as SinglePoint, Inc. (SING), are looking at how to integrate these technologies to provide a better service for select markets. While alarming articles predict the bursting of the “blockchain bubble,” established companies such as Bank of America Corp. (BAC) and Mastercard, Inc. (MA) have moved to adopt blockchain technology, signalling its acceptance by mainstream banking. Meanwhile, companies such as Bitcoin Services, Inc. (BTSC) and Discover Financial Services (DFS) continue looking for new ways to exploit the technology’s potential.

The widespread adoption of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies is all but inevitable.  The technologies demonstrate numerous consumer and commercial advantages, particularly in logistics, international trade, and even food-safety and product anti-counterfeiting drives. As global and online commerce expands, so does the need for streamlined verification of product quality, delivery and payments, a few of the many capabilities offered by blockchain technology. An emerging leader in this space is ChineseInvestors.com (CIIX), which, among other cryptocurrency-related endeavors, recently opened a bitcoin ATM at its U.S. headquarters in California. Other companies operating in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space include MGT Capital Investments, Inc. (MGTI), Bitcoin Investment Trust (GBTC), LongFin Corp. (LFIN) and Overstock.com, Inc. (OSTK).

The parabolic rise in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies has spawned a frenetic mania seldom seen in the markets.  While debate of bitcoin’s legitimacy as a long-standing form of currency continues, general consensus asserts that the underlying blockchain technology has applications that extend far beyond its connections to cryptocurrency. As such, innovative companies around the globe are beginning to employ blockchain technology to streamline business and secure transactions. Telemedicine pioneer Medical Innovation Holdings, Inc. (MIHI) is establishing a new paradigm in secure and efficient handling of patient medical and financial data. The company’s new MIHI Blockchain Platform is designed to vastly improve the safe and effective movement of patient data and result in much lower transaction costs. A first-mover in coupling blockchain and telemedicine, MIHI joins other companies in the broad business quest to streamline and secure transactions with blockchain. Financial services leader MetLife, Inc. (MET) has announced it will join banking consortium R3CEV, a distributed ledger platform designed specifically for financial services. Others embracing blockchain NXT- ID, Inc. (NXTD), Marathon Patent Group, Inc. (MARA) and Riot Blockchain, Inc. (RIOT).

Investors looking to diversify their portfolios and gain access to the multi-billion-dollar global blockchain industry should have some exciting options as 2018 progresses, particularly when it comes to the $13 billion global supply chain management (SCM) market. The immutable, distributed ledger technology known as blockchain can deliver numerous SCM efficiencies that could revolutionize logistics for a variety of sectors, including oil and gas. Petroteq Energy, Inc. (TSX.V: PQE) (OTCQX: PQEFF) (PQEFF Profile) has already envisioned this future of networked intelligent devices, and has initiated the development of the oil and gas industry’s first dedicated blockchain-based based SCM platform, PetroBloq. Investors can also look to diversification into this burgeoning new space via first-movers like oil and gas giant BP (NYSE: BP), and tech companies like IBM (NYSE: IBM), Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD) and Eastman Kodak (NYSE: KODK).

Within the international trade and finance sector, logistic companies need to better streamline their payments and documentation flow. A methodology to solve this issue in the FINTECH marketplace is blockchain technology applied to Supply Chain Finance. This allows encrypted data on all facets of international transactions, from payments to bills-of-lading to delivery data, and for the accumulating record to be privately shared among banks, shippers and traders. With the formation of its new SecurCapital Corp. subsidiary, Global Payout, Inc. (GOHE) is addressing the supply-chain finance needs of mid-tier logistics companies while joining a growing number of other innovators utilizing the benefits of blockchain. Among them are Hive Blockchain Technologies Ltd. (HIVE.V), Cboe Global Markets (CBOE), Long Blockchain Corp. (LBCC) and BTL Group (BTLLF).

The excitement generated by the potential use of blockchain technology in many industries has been slow to reach the energy sector. However, indications are that 2018 could see several companies in the field adopting the revolutionary technology, which could substantially transform the energy industry’s markets and processes. Several companies in the oil and gas industry are already looking to incorporate blockchain technology in their business processes, including Petroteq Energy Inc. (TSX.V: PQE) (OTCQX: PQEFF), British Petroleum p.l.c. (NYSE: BP) and Royal Dutch Shell plc (OTC: RYDAF). Information technology companies servicing the energy industry, including IBM (NYSE: IBM) and Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT), are developing blockchain solutions for enterprises.

Bitcoin was a major topic of conversation among investors in 2017, but it wasn’t the only cryptocurrency related investment that garnered investors’ attention in the blockchain space. In 2017 alone, there were 235 Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) completed, which raised a total of $3.7 billion dollars, and 2018 is shaping up to be the year of ICOs. ICOs are a way for blockchain start-up companies to gain funding for projects. Instead of offering shares of a company to its investors, they offer a certain amount of cryptocurrency. Some companies that stand to benefit from the influx of funding to ICOs include Victory Square Technologies, Inc. (CSE:VST) (OTC:VSQTF) (FWB:6F6), Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE: KODK), Helios, Matheson Analytics (NASDAQ: HMNY), Glance Technologies (CSE: GET:CC), and Social Reality, Inc. (NASDAQ: SRAX).

SinglePoint, Inc. (SING) has grown from a full-service mobile technology provider to a publicly-traded holding company. Through diversification into horizontal markets, SinglePoint is building its portfolio by acquiring an interest in undervalued subsidiaries, thereby providing a rich, diversified holding base.

Founded in 1999, ChineseInvestors.com (CIIX) has become a leading financial information website for Chinese-speaking investors in the United States and China. Recognizing unprecedented opportunities in the U.S. cannabis industry, CIIX is also laying the groundwork to capitalize on growing demand for cannabidiol (CBD)-based nutrition and health products.

SinglePoint, Inc. (OTC:SING) announced the successful completion of a corporate audit provided by PCAOB firm Turner Stone and Company. SinglePoint has achieved considerable growth in 2017, and with the completed audit takes another step toward a potential up-listing to the OTCQB market. Management believes the audit, which includes financials through December 31, 2016, and subsequent events from inception (2007) through December 12, 2017, will provide the transparency for larger institutional investors to enter the picture.

ChineseInvestors.com, Inc. (OTCQB: CIIX), the premier financial information website for Chinese-speaking investors today, announces that the top-rated cryptocurrency podcast “Bad Crypto Podcast” recently featured an interview with its CEO, Warren Wang. On December 16, 2017, on Bad Crypto Podcast, Episode 63, titled “Interview with Warren Wang of ChineseInvestors.com” Wang shared his perspective and insights on bitcoin and cryptocurrency in China, reaching listeners in 183 countries.

SinglePoint, Inc. (OTC: SING) announced key advances in its corporate mission with the launch of additional joint ventures and the closing of new deals within existing agreements. SinglePoint has achieved considerable growth in 2017, and management also provided a recap of achievements over the last year, as well as details key initiatives for 2018.

SinglePoint, Inc. (OTC: SING) and Smart Cannabis Corp (OTC: SCNA) recently announced a significant move to formalize a multi-faceted joint venture and co-marketing relationship that combines cyber currency payment solutions with SCNA’s SMARTAPP automation software product, and soon-to-be-released “Track and Trace Software System,” which will be a natural add-on extension to SinglePoint’s current payment processing system. John Taylor, President of Smart Cannabis Corp, stated, “SinglePoint is an ideal partner for us to expand our business beyond California for our line of innovative automation and our trace and tracking software solution for cultivators.”

AppSwarm, Inc. (OTC: SWRM), a technology company specializing in the accelerated development and publishing of mobile apps, has completed development plans with SinglePoint (OTC: SING) to conduct a shared roll-out of mobile applications specifically geared to solve issues in the cannabis space using the Blockchain technology and Bitcoin payment options. The applications and tech will be modelled and marketed under SinglePoint’s SingleSeed subsidiary, while AppSwarm will provide the necessary technical support and application development. The venture calls for a 50/50 revenue share on all products to be deployed.

Singlepoint, Inc. (SING) provides mobile technology and marketing solutions that enable companies, nonprofits and religious organizations to conduct business transactions, accept donations, and engage in targeted communication via mobile devices.

ChineseInvestors.com (CIIX) has become a leading financial information website for Chinese-speaking investors in the United States and China.