April 2019 cryptocurrency news
Here are some of the top cryptocurrency news stories from April 2019:
1. Bitcoin (BTC) Price Reaches 3-Month High
In early April, Bitcoin's price surged to a three-month high of around $5,600, driven by a combination of factors including increased institutional investment and a decline in regulatory uncertainty.
2. Facebook's Libra Cryptocurrency Faces Scrutiny
Facebook's plans to launch its own cryptocurrency, Libra, were met with skepticism and scrutiny from regulators and lawmakers in April. The project was criticized for its lack of transparency and potential risks to financial stability.
3. Ethereum (ETH) Hard Forks to Improve Scalability
In April, Ethereum's developers announced plans to implement a series of hard forks to improve the network's scalability and usability. The forks, known as "Serenity" and "Spectre," aim to reduce transaction times and increase the network's capacity.
4. Binance Launches Fiat-Crypto Exchange
Binance, one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges, launched a fiat-crypto exchange in April, allowing users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies using traditional currencies like the US dollar and euro.
5. SEC Delays Decision on Bitcoin ETF
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) delayed its decision on a proposed Bitcoin ETF, citing concerns over market manipulation and the lack of a robust surveillance-sharing agreement with major cryptocurrency exchanges.
6. Ripple (XRP) Partners with Major Banks
Ripple, the company behind the XRP cryptocurrency, announced several high-profile partnerships with major banks in April, including a deal with Bank of America to use Ripple's technology for cross-border payments.
7. Cryptocurrency Market Cap Reaches $250 Billion
The total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies reached $250 billion in April, driven by a surge in prices and increased institutional investment.
8. Coinbase Adds Support for Ethereum Classic
Coinbase, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges, added support for Ethereum Classic (ETC) in April, allowing users to buy, sell, and trade the cryptocurrency.
9. Cryptocurrency Regulation in the US
In April, the US government took steps to regulate the cryptocurrency industry, with the SEC announcing plans to increase oversight and enforcement of cryptocurrency-related activities.
10. Cryptocurrency Adoption in Africa
April saw a surge in cryptocurrency adoption in Africa, with several countries including Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya seeing increased adoption and usage of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
These are just a few of the top cryptocurrency news stories from April 2019. It was a busy month for the industry, with significant developments in regulation, adoption, and technology.