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New Year’s resolutions: #Esports in 2018 $GMBL $ATVI $TTWO $GAME $EPY.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 2:27 PM on Wednesday, January 3rd, 2018
  • 2017 was a huge year for esports with immense progress made across the board, from sponsorships and investments to mammoth-prize money and increased mainstream coverage
  • Foundations have been firmly laid for continued growth throughout 2018
  • With that in mind, here are our New Year’s resolutions for esports going in to the New Year

Improve professionalism in a youth-dominated market

A lack of professionalism has been a long-standing issue in esports – often a problem when granting young people anonymity on the internet. However, following the steps taken in recent years to evolve esports into a viable and respectable industry, it is about time this issue is tackled head on.

There were plenty of examples of poor professional conduct in 2017 alone. We saw; players cheating in online tournaments, being intoxicated at major events, and even stage hosts being disrespectful to competitors. Not only does this show esports in a poor light to newcomers, it also gives the wrong idea as to the kind of conduct that is deemed acceptable in an industry that many already have negative preconceived notions of, as well as disappointing existing fans.

There is, of course, the recent swatting case that took place in Kansas which saw an innocent man lose his life over a $2 Call of Duty wager match. The case made international news and again reflects poorly on the esports community. The industry most definitely doesn’t need added stigma in the mainstream press.

Going in to 2018, we must seek to develop a more professional image. Players should start being held to the same standard of top sporting personalities, especially as the two continue to converge.

Garner more mainstream media coverage

Samsung Galaxy versus SK Telecom T1 at the 2016 World Championship – Finals at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California, USA on 29 October 2016. Credit Riot GamesAlongside the industry growth, esports has started to have more of an impact on the mainstream over the last year. We’ve seen the UK’s largest national newspaper, the Daily Mail, hire their first full-time esports journalists. BBC Three provided weekly coverage for the Gfinity Elite Series and U.S. television channel TBS broadcast multiple ELEAGUE events, including titles such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Injustice 2.

This is a solid start, but there remains plenty of room for growth in this area. With the way esports is going, mainstream media outlets would be foolish to ignore it much longer and the extra exposure would only further endorse esports and enhance its appeal to some of the major sponsors and investors considering getting involved.

That being said, many outlets have tried to create content around esports and not had much success. GQ recently published an article subtly scoffing at esports and professional gamers, as well as the BBC ending a solid piece of coverage with questionable remarks about the players they had just interviewed. That said, coverage has generally improved in recent years, exemplified by the work being done by BBC Three, TBS and Daily Mail.

With NBA teams such as the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors making their moves into esports, as well as investments from the likes of Jennifer Lopez and major American sports entrepreneur Stan Kroenke, it makes sense that esports will continue to converge with the mainstream but it requires a unified effort to further legitimise esports to those on the outside.

Improved communications between organisations and media

This links very closely with the previous point, but is just as important in itself. Often, teams make major decisions, such as agreements with notable sponsors, but lack PR representation to share the news. This, in turn, weakens the reach and value of any commercial deals or announcements. Having representative agencies or in-house PR staff to create and share press releases with the relevant outlets could have huge benefits in introducing teams or players to a wider audience.

Some of the larger organisations are now doing this, and so this may be something that comes as a result of a general development in stability for teams across the board. Regardless, it should certainly be high up on the agenda of any organisation who wishes to make a real splash in esports in the long term.

Better esports education from a UK perspective

Schoolchildren learning about esports Credit: British Esports AssociationAs esports continues to grow, so too does the number of people wanting to get involved in an industry that seems very selective from the outside. In 2017, we saw steps being made towards providing a better education of esports to people from a variety of backgrounds. Staffordshire University introduced their esports degree, set to start this year, and the University of Leicester partnered with ESL UK to “provide students with valuable insights into esports business”.

Further down the scale, the British Esports Association ran a fantastic scheme, bringing an esports after-school club to Maida Vale library, for local schoolchildren between the ages of 10-13. Here, children could try their hand at playing Rocket League as well as casting, and were able to listen to talks from British Esports Association volunteers. More recently there has been good work done by the team over at XIII Esports, again with a focus on grassroots in the UK.

The UK continues to lag behind in many major esports titles and education is imperative to break the perceived social stigma around esports and video games. In areas where esports education is more prevalent, such as South Korea and Scandinavia, esports has become highly respected and understood on a wider scale.

It cannot be stated quite how far esports has come in the last year alone, but should the aforementioned be fulfilled, the sky really is the limit. Some of the biggest names and brands in the world have invested in esports and should we make smart decisions, esports will continue to flourish.

Source: http://www.esportsinsider.com/2018/01/esports-2018-new-year-resolutions/

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#Gold Has Best Year Since 2010 With Near 14% Gain In 2017 #Mining $AMK.ca $EXS.ca $MQR.ca $GGX.ca $GR.ca $GZD.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, January 3rd, 2018
  • Gold posted second straight annual gain in USD in 2017
  • Gold in 2017: up 13.6% USD, up 2.7% GBP, down 1.4% EUR
  • 2017 is gold’s best year since 29.5% gain in 2010
  • Strong performance despite rate hikes and stock bubble
  • India’s gold imports surged 67% in 2017, Turkish, Chinese demand strong
  • Gold finished 2017 with longest rally since June 2016
  • 2018: Currency War and The Year of the Phoenix?

Gold waved a very positive goodbye to 2017 and was delighted to shout ‘Happy New Year!’ to all investors. In doing so, gold bullion prices advanced for an eighth session yesterday, extending its longest stretch of gains since mid-2011.

This was the perfect start to a new year which followed an annual surge of nearly 14%. 2017 is the second year of gains for gold. In 2016 it posted 14% gains, its best gains since the 29.5% gain in 2010.

Gold bullion’s stellar advance is even more impressive when one considers the extremely mixed year that was 2017. It ranged from Federal Reserve rate hikes to rapidly advancing stock markets. The year’s events were like a tug-of-war on the drivers of the gold price.

Gold: bad or good?

2017 on paper perhaps should not have seen a 14% gain in the gold price.

There was an acceleration in global economic growth as countries began to keep pace with one another. Much to Trump’s delight official figures showed the U.S. economy performed well. Not only did the the unemployment rate touch a record low, but inflation also remained subdued.

Meanwhile the Fed hiked interest rates three times, something many believed would be the kryptonite to gold’s superhuman strength.

Investments that are often seen to as alternatives to gold performed exceedingly well. The U.S. stock market continued its record-breaking rally, while bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies experienced what can only be described as a bubblicious and parabolic rise in the last few weeks of 2017.

And, right at the last minute the Republicans managed to pass a very dodgy looking tax bill, prompting Trump to peacock around even more.

Following Trump’s election there had been high hopes for the price of gold. After all, here was a man who had been elected without political experience and on the back of creating social and economic divisions. However, following Trump’s inauguration there was a post-election sell-off at the start of the year. Many were clearly feeling positive about Trump’s impact on both the domestic and international stage.

As various unexpected scenarios played out, from failure to get much done in the White House to sober-rattling with North Korea, the precious metal began to climb. Towards the end of summer, in early-September the gold price hit a year-high of $1346/oz. It then quickly sold off.

Whilst the yellow metal finished the year with a respectable run of gains, the final figures did not match those of say, the S&P 500 which climbed by over 19% in the same year.

Does this mean that relatively speaking the gold price is something we shouldn’t be delighted with? Not at all. The year of 2017 was one of arguably bearish events for the price of gold yet it still made near 14% gains, better than money in a savings account.

This second year of climbing by gold should serve as a timely reminder that the precious metal is not something that will be poked and prodded thanks to short-term, unsustainable economic and political events. Gold investment is for the long-term and there is little benefit thinking that one event will affect the reasons to hold gold.

All of the ‘positives’ of 2017 such as low inflation, Fed hikes and tax bills being passed arguably came about because of farcical economic readings and political manoeuvring. None of the statistics or decisions made as a result are sustainable, particularly against a background of increasing geopolitical risk. The gold price reflected this, particularly in its reactions to what should have been bearish Fed-rate hikes.

It is safe to say that in 2018 gold will be sent significantly higher thanks to ongoing US dollar weakness, higher debt and deficits,  stronger growth combined with potential wage inflation, coming together in a perfect storm with geopolitical risks.

One of the key reasons for gold’s 14% climb in USD terms is thanks to the weakness in the US Dollar itself. There was a strong correlation between the gold price and the greenback in 2017. It’s also worth mentioning that the level of yield of the inflation-protected 10-year Treasuries at the end of the year was similar to the level at the beginning of the year (about 0.5 percent). People do not want the global reserve currency anymore.

2018: The year of the Phoenix?

Nearly 30 years ago The Economist predicted that 2018 would be the year of a new currency uprising. You have to give the magazine some kudos for this prediction. Given what we saw in 2017 with both the rise in bitcoin, cryptocurrencies generally and, of course, efforts by Russia and China to build financial allegiances away from the US dollar, a new world currency in 2018 is more likely than not.

That’s right, whilst the financial media can talk as much as they like about how great 2017 turned out to be, there were plenty of events behind the mainstream wall that were clearly preparing for a financial world where decisions of the last decade come back to bite us.

Moves by Russia and China to step away from US dollar hegemony continued and rapidly progressed in 2017. This forthcoming year does not suggest any sign of let up. Much of the moves away from the US dollar involve the use of gold as the intermediary currency. Exchanges and trade agreements are in full swing.

We also cannot mention 2017 without bitcoin. This was the year that the lead cryptocurrency truly arrived and established itself in the minds of the establishment.

As we have explained several times, bitcoin is not a substitute for gold. It has attracted a lot of hot money in the last year, but long-term this is not to the detriment of gold.

The upward trajectory of bitcoin places it firmly in bubble territory. This is good for gold, as Walter Otstott, a senior broker at Dallas Commodity Co. explained to Bloomberg. ‘If 2017’s hottest asset comes crashing back to Earth, speculative money may be drawn back into gold…He sees gold peaking at $1,600 an ounce next year, compared with the price on Friday of about $1,297.’

Our own experts also see great things for gold this year, particularly thanks to geopolitical threats by those truly looking to end US-power : North Korea.

GoldCore’s Mark O’Byrne told Bloomberg:

‘Gold could end the year at $1,500 if geopolitics heats up in North Korea or the Middle East.’ This is despite gold’s lack of reaction at the various threats from both Trump and Kim Jong-Un. However, gold loves uncertainty and this is certainty a situation which is dripping in volatile uncertainty.

2018: Will it hold its own against the last two years?

2017 showed us that there is still a show to be played out by governments and central banks. There is still a farce to be seen when it comes to reassuring us about the state of the global economy.

Gold’s price rise and the dollar’s weakness shows that there are question marks over this recovery. Gold may be indicating  the reality that very little has changed since the financial crisis. Any ‘fixes’ have been done with a bit of sellotape and little else. We build over the cracks rather than repair them.

Gold investors were rewarded this year for their patience. This is particularly the case given there is seemingly little difference to where we find ourselves today compared to the last two years. Arguably the world is much more uncertain.

2018 is a year not to take chances and to own physical, allocated an segregated gold. The risks in the system are bigger than ever and investors would be wise to take all measures to protect their wealth.

News and Commentary

Gold hits 3-1/2-month highs before dipping on dollar recovery (Reuters.com)

Asian Stocks Extend Advance After U.S. Tech Surge (Bloomberg.com)

Global Manufacturers Strain to Keep Up With Faster Economy (Bloomberg.com)

Gold hits three-month peak after late December rally (Reuters.com)

Silver will fare better than gold in 2018: Goldman Sachs (Rediff.com)

By itself gold could solve Sudan’s economic problems, mining minister says (DabangaSudan.org)

The criminal underwold is dropping bitcoin for another cryptocurrency (Bloomberg.com)

India gold imports surge 67 percent in 2017 on restocking, retail demand – GFMS (Reuters.com)

Turkey’s gold-backed bonds: Government in quest for hidden treasures (Nikkei.com)

Nomi Prins: The Next Financial Crisis Will Be Worse Than the Last One (ZeroHedge.com)

Gold Prices (LBMA AM)

03 Jan: USD 1,314.60, GBP 968.20 & EUR 1,092.96 per ounce
02 Jan: USD 1,312.80, GBP 968.85 & EUR 1,087.52 per ounce
29 Dec: USD 1,296.50, GBP 960.84 & EUR 1,082.45 per ounce
28 Dec: USD 1,291.60, GBP 960.43 & EUR 1,082.75 per ounce
27 Dec: USD 1,285.40, GBP 958.78 & EUR 1,081.54 per ounce
22 Dec: USD 1,268.05, GBP 947.74 & EUR 1,069.85 per ounce
21 Dec: USD 1,265.85, GBP 945.97 & EUR 1,065.09 per ounce

Silver Prices (LBMA)

03 Jan: USD 17.12, GBP 12.63 & EUR 14.25 per ounce
02 Jan: USD 17.06, GBP 12.59 & EUR 14.15 per ounce
29 Dec: USD 16.87, GBP 12.48 & EUR 14.07 per ounce
28 Dec: USD 16.74, GBP 12.46 & EUR 14.02 per ounce
27 Dec: USD 16.50, GBP 12.30 & EUR 13.87 per ounce
22 Dec: USD 16.18, GBP 12.08 & EUR 13.65 per ounce
21 Dec: USD 16.15, GBP 12.08 & EUR 13.61 per ounce

Source: http://news.goldseek.com/GoldSeek/1514986020.php

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Augusta $AAO.ca Provides Sales Update $PHO.ca $DYA.ca $OPS.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, January 3rd, 2018

Augustalarge

  • Entered into new agreements with various departments of the United States government for the supply of instrumentation and equipment
  • Aggregate value of the agreement was $297,432.98
  • Current backlog of orders, including these new contracts, is $1,842,857.64 as of December 31, 2017

Toronto, Ontario–(January 3, 2018) – Augusta Industries Inc. (TSXV: AAO) (the “Corporation”) is pleased to announce that it wholly owned subsidiary, Marcon International Inc. (“Marcon”), has entered into new agreements with various departments of the United States government for the supply of instrumentation and equipment. The aggregate value of the agreement entered into was $297,432.98. The current backlog of orders, including these new contracts, is $1,842,857.64 as of December 31, 2017.

“The Corporation is pleased to enter in these new contracts as it is a reflection of the continued efforts and hard work of the Corporation’s sales staff,” stated Allen Lone, President of the Corporation. “The Corporation’s sales efforts continues to result in increased sales and the Corporation will continue to focus on entering into additional contracts and developing additional relationships and opportunities with its existing clients.”

The Corporation also announces its shareholders’ meeting scheduled for January 12, 2018 has been postponed as the Corporation continues to finalize the terms and the mechanism for the proposed spinout of its wholly owned subsidiary, Fox-Tek Canada Inc. (“Fox-Tek”).

About the Corporation:

Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Marcon and Fox-Tek, the Corporation provides a variety of services and products to a number of clients.

Marcon is an industrial supply contractor servicing the energy sector and a number of US Government entities. Marcon’s principal business is the sale and distribution of industrial parts and equipment.

Fox-Tek provides world leading solutions to various sectors including the oil and gas industry. With non- intrusive technologies including: fiber optic sensors and electric field mapping systems; Fox-Tek is able to accurately measure changes that could negatively impact our client’s operations.

Corporation contact:

Allen Lone, President, CEO, Augusta Industries Inc.
Tel: (905) 275-8111 Ext 226, email: [email protected]

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note regarding Forward-looking Statements

This news release includes certain information and forward-looking statements about management’s view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward looking statements. Although the Corporation believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statement will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Corporation disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward looking statements or otherwise.

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Marijuana Company of America’s $MCOA Overview of 2017 Highlights $AERO $CBDS $CGRW $APH.ca $GBLX

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 8:47 AM on Wednesday, January 3rd, 2018

15233 mcoa

2017 HIGHLIGHTS

  • MCOA became a fully reporting company by filing a Form 10 with the SEC in May of 2017
  • In Q1 2017, MCOA entered into a joint venture partnership with Bougainville Ventures, Inc
  • In Q3 2017, MCOA and Global Hemp Group, Inc. (CSE: GHG) (OTC: GBHPF) entered into a joint venture partnership to develop commercial hemp production and processing in New Brunswick
  • In October 2017, MCOA and GHG jointly entered into a letter of intent  with Space Cowboys, Inc.

Escondido, California–(January 3, 2018) – MARIJUANA COMPANY OF AMERICA INC. (OTC Pink: MCOA) (“MCOA” or the “Company“), an innovative hemp and cannabis corporation, is pleased to announce its 2017 year-end review to its valued shareholders and interested parties.

Donald Steinberg, CEO of MCOA, said: “I am the founder of multiple startups, including Medical Marijuana Inc. (OTC: MJNA), which has a market cap of over 300 million dollars. I am aware of the challenges and opportunities these endeavors present, and the need for a strong foundation to build upon. Having experience in the structuring, development and operations of large global marketing companies in various industries, I believe Marijuana Company of America and its subsidiary hempSMART are poised to deliver significant value to our shareholders based on the foundations and accomplishments made in the past year. 

The Company has fulfilled its promise to its shareholders by becoming an audited and fully transparent reporting company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We are participating in the cannabis space with our leasing operation in Washington. The hempSMART team has developed a line of products that can be viewed at www.hempsmart.com. We completed joint hemp trials in New Brunswick, Canada with Global Hemp Group, Inc. in 2017, and we expect to be starting commercial production in Spring 2018. There are a number of other projects we are completing due diligence on. I am thankful to the teams at MCOA and hempSMART for their accomplishments and due diligence in working through these various projects.  We will continue to build upon the diligent work of the past year as we continue to move forward and execute our business plan.”

Updates on hempSMART Products

The Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, hempSMART, Inc., distributes industrial hemp based CBD wellness products via network marketing. In September 2017, the Company completely revamped its website and network marketing platform to provide customers and affiliates with the necessary tools needed to become successful in the expanding $1.9 Trillion Wellness Industry. The Company has successfully filed a patent application with the U.S Patent and Trademark Office for full patent protection on its proprietary CBD formulation: “hempSMART™ Brain.” Also in 2017, hempSMART released two new products: “hempSMART™ Full Spectrum Drops” (Orange, Mint, Lemon, and Strawberry) and “hempSMART™ Pain Capsules.” Several more products are in development and the Company anticipates their release in Q1 2018.

Filing Form 10 with SEC and Completing Audit

MCOA became a fully reporting company by filing a Form 10 with the SEC in May of 2017. A PCOAB registered audit firm (L & L CPAs PA) completed a two-year audit of the Company’s 2015 and 2016 financial statements. This is an integral step to qualifying the Company to uplist its trading tier with OTC Markets to the OTCQB. This is an important step in helping MCOA raise necessary capital to fund it projects and expand operations, as well as provide more transparent and reliable information to investors. Currently, the Company is in the process of preparing and filing an S-1 registration statement with the SEC in order to raise the necessary capital to fund its aggressive growth goals for 2018. Due to the inherent legal complexity of the cannabis industry, it took considerable effort to address SEC comments pertaining to disclosures of our business and corresponding products. We believe there is a great deal of shareholder value by the Company distinguishing itself from a majority of cannabis public companies that elect not to be fully reporting SEC filers.

Cultivation Joint Venture in Washington State

In Q1 2017, MCOA entered into a joint venture partnership with Bougainville Ventures, Inc. (“BV”), who plans to construct a 30,000 sq. ft. greenhouse cultivation facility in Oroville, WA. The facility will accommodate a Tier-3 production and processing I-502 tenant with years of experience in cannabis cultivation. In Q4 of 2017, MCOA completed financing of $800,000 in cash and 15 million shares of the Company’s common stock to complete the amended terms of the agreement. The delivery of the first pre-designed greenhouses, with full tracking and reporting protocols has arrived and completed construction of the six greenhouses, totaling in a one-acre footprint, is expected in Q1 2018. This joint venture project is solely for the purpose of cultivation and processing of legal marijuana within the state of Washington only and not beyond its borders. The Company will lease the turnkey property to the licensed tenant, thus acting solely as a landlord. As of December 31, 2017, the first greenhouse was purchased and in the process of being constructed.

JV with Global Hemp Group in Canada

In Q3 2017, MCOA and Global Hemp Group, Inc. (CSE: GHG) (OTC: GBHPF) entered into a joint venture partnership to develop commercial hemp production and processing in New Brunswick, Canada. MCOA and GHG have now completed the first phase of hemp trials, receiving research support from the Collége Communautaire du Nouveau Brunswick (CCNB). MCOA is granted a Right of First Refusal as the primary recipient of any raw materials produced from the project, which we expect will harvest its first commercial crop of 125 acres in Q4 2018.

MoneyTrac Technologies Investment

In July 2017, MCOA completed an investment of $250,000 into MoneyTrac Technology, Inc. (“MTT”), a subsidiary of Global Payout, Inc. (OTC: GOHE) in exchange for 15% equity position in the company, to help establish and market MTT as an alternative banking solution for the Cannabis industry. MTT currently has the ability to integrate and streamline electronic payment processing such as E-wallet, mobile applications, debit cards, and credit cards. Currently, MoneyTrac Technology has strategic partnerships with top cannabis services such as GreenRush, BlazeNow, High Grade Management Group, and PotSaver, which was a majority acquisition last October.

BeniHemp Investment

At the end of Q4, the Company announced an investment of $100,000 for a 25% equity stake in Convenient Hemp Mart, LLC’s “BeniHemp” branded products to target convenience stores for CBD product distribution. BeniHemp products will include topicals, tinctures, and edibles conveniently packaged in 1-day, 2-day, and 30-day supplies. The target market is convenience stores, smoke shops, gas stations and similar small retail businesses. The expectation is that there will be a full launch and website online in January 2018.

Space Cowboys, Inc.

In October 2017, MCOA and GHG (“the Companies”) jointly entered into a letter of intent (LOI) with Space Cowboys, Inc. (“Space Cowboys“). Pursuant to the terms of the LOI, the Companies intended to invest US$2.5 Million in exchange for a 25% equity interest in Space Cowboys. However, the Companies are unable to complete due diligence and will not be moving forward with this project.

Joint Venture in Adelanto, CA

In March, MCOA entered into a joint venture agreement with GateC Research Inc. (“GCR”) for the purpose of developing a turnkey cultivation facility in Adelanto, California for leasing to GCR which owns a local permit for cultivation. GCR and MCOA are in the process of identifying and securing property to facilitate the project. MCOA will invest cash and stock to complete the agreement. With the recent legalization of cannabis for recreational use on January 1, 2018 in California, MCOA expects to focus its attention on actualizing this opportunity in California. This JV project is solely for the purpose of cultivation of legal marijuana within the state of California and not beyond its borders. The Company will act solely as a landlord in this JV.

Investor Relations

Also in 2017, MCOA engaged NetworkNewsWire (“NNW”) for the Company’s corporate communication solutions. NNW is a multifaceted financial news and publishing company that delivers a new generation of social communication solutions, news aggregation and syndication, and enhanced news release services. NNW’s strategies help public and private organizations find their voice and build market visibility. As part of the Client-Partner relationship with MCOA, NNW will leverage its investor-based distribution network of over 5,000 key syndication outlets, various newsletters, social media channels, blogs, and other outreach tools to generate greater brand awareness for the Company.

About Marijuana Company of America, Inc.
MCOA is a corporation which participates in: (1) product research and development of legal hemp-based consumer products under the brand name “hempSMART™”, that targets general health and well-being; (2) an affiliate marketing program to promote and sell its legal hemp-based consumer products containing CBD; (3) leasing of real property to separate business entities engaged in the growth and sale of cannabis in those states and jurisdictions where cannabis has been legalized and properly regulated for medicinal and recreations use; and, (4) the expansion of its business into ancillary areas of the legalized cannabis and hemp industry, as the legalized markets and opportunities in this segment mature and develop.

About MoneyTrac Technology
MoneyTrac Technology, Inc. is a pioneer in offering a full-service solution for alternative banking and electronic financial solutions and provides all aspects of financial technology including E-Wallet and mobile apps services for businesses and companies in various “high-risk” industries. MoneyTrac’s technology platform allows for its clients to access their financial information from anywhere in the world, in addition to providing tracking and compliance to help them manage and control the flow of all revenue through their business.

About Global Hemp Group Inc.
Global Hemp Group (“GHG”) is a publicly traded company founded in 2012, headquartered in British Columbia, Canada with base operations in Montreal and Southern California. The Company is focused on the production and processing of hemp, and collaboration with companies that will enable GHG to develop and implement the Hemp Agro-Industrial Zone concept. Through partnerships, joint ventures and acquisitions, the Company will capture cash flow, revenues, and establish a greater collective valuation.

About Bougainville Ventures, Inc.
Bougainville Ventures Inc. is in the business of investing in high grow companies and industries that lease land, equipment and other growing infrastructure to licensed marijuana producers and luxury crop growers. Bougainville itself is not a licensed marijuana grower or retailer but instead focuses on providing capital to companies which act as landlords and equipment leasing companies to licensed marijuana producers and luxury crop growers. The Company is in the process of being listed on the CSE in Canada.

Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” which are not purely historical and may include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, the development, costs and results of new business opportunities and words such as “anticipate”, “seek”, intend”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “project”, “plan”, or similar phrases may be deemed “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with new projects, the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company’s reliance on existing regulations regarding the use and development of cannabis-based products. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10-12G, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For more information, please visit www.sec.gov.

For more information, please visit the Company’s websites at:

MarijuanaCompanyofAmerica.com
hempSMART.com
NetworkNewsWires/MCOA

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INTERVIEW: Namaste $N.ca $NXTTF Discusses Strategic Private-Label Software and Patient Referral Agreements with Aurora Cannabis $ACB.ca $AERO $CBDS $CGRW $APH.ca $GBLX

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 4:33 PM on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018

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Posted in AGORACOM Via Satellite, All Recent Posts, Featured, Namaste Technologies Inc. | Comments Off on INTERVIEW: Namaste $N.ca $NXTTF Discusses Strategic Private-Label Software and Patient Referral Agreements with Aurora Cannabis $ACB.ca $AERO $CBDS $CGRW $APH.ca $GBLX

Aurora $ACB.ca and Namaste $N.ca $NXTTF to Complete Strategic Private-Label Software and Patient Referral Agreements $AERO $CBDS $CGRW $APH.ca $GBLX

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 7:19 AM on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018

Nlogo

  • Namaste will provide CanvasRx with a customized, CanvasRx-branded version of NamasteMD
  • Namaste will provide CanvasRx with a two-year exclusivity period for the private label version of NamsteMD.com in Canada

EDMONTON and VANCOUVER, Jan. 2, 2018 – Aurora Cannabis Inc. (the “Company” or “Aurora”) (TSX: ACB) (OTCQX: ACBFF) (Frankfurt: 21P; WKN: A1C4WM) and Namaste Technologies Inc. (“Namaste”) (CSE: N) (FRANKFURT: M5BQ) (OTCMKTS: NXTTF) today announced the signing of a binding term sheet towards a final Private-Label Software Agreement (“Private Label Agreement”), whereby Namaste will provide Aurora’s wholly-owned subsidiary, CanvasRx Inc. (“CanvasRx”) with a customized version of Namaste’s patient acquisition tool, NamasteMD.com (“NamasteMD”),  as well as desktop and mobile applications for Google Android and Apple iOS platforms. The companies have 30 days to complete a final agreement.

Private Label Agreement

NamasteMD is an online telemedicine platform for patient consultation and registration, bringing together Namaste`s tested technology platform, including certain proprietary authentication technologies, as well as consultation, education and medical document issuance processes. Under the terms of the Private Label Agreement:

  • Namaste will provide CanvasRx with a customized, CanvasRx-branded version of NamasteMD
  • Namaste will provide CanvasRx with a two-year exclusivity period for the private label version of NamsteMD.com in Canada
  • Namaste will initially provide the application for both the Google Android and Apple iOS platforms
  • CanvasRx will require their own doctors and/or nurse practitioners to operate the platform
  • Commercial terms of the agreement are not disclosed
  • In consideration of Aurora’s assistance for the future optimization of NamasteMD, Namaste has issued Aurora 500,000 stock options, exercisable at $3.35 per common share for 48 months, vesting quarterly over 12 months.

Support Services Agreement

In addition, the companies have also signed a non-binding, non-exclusive Letter of Intent to complete a final Consultation & Support Services Agreement (“Consultation Agreement”), whereby Namaste will provide patient referral services to Aurora, where applicable under Canada’s Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes (“ACMPR”) regulations. Under the terms of the Consultation Agreement:

  • Namaste shall provide certain patient-focused education and strain selection services, as well as assistance in preparing the requisite paperwork (Medical Documentation) for registering patients with Aurora
  • The Agreement is non-exclusive for a one-year term
  • Namaste shall provide the services under the agreement on preferential terms to Aurora
  • Commercial terms of the Consultation Agreement are not disclosed

The agreements further strengthen the strategic ties between the two companies, who already collaborate on eCommerce (sale of Namaste-sourced, curated selection of vaporizers through Aurora website, utilizing Namaste’s technology platform), and the distribution of BC Northern Lights products. Once completed, the new agreements will provide Namaste with recurring revenues through the private label platform, while Aurora will be the only licensed producer able to offer Namaste`s streamlined online patient acquisition platform under its own (CanvasRx) brand.

Management Commentary

“NamasteMD provides an innovative and efficient extension to our industry-leading in-person cannabis counseling and education services provided through CanvasRx,” said Terry Booth, CEO. “The new platform will enable us to extend our industry leading patient care to areas where we currently have no physical presence. This will allow us to leverage the strength of both the CanvasRx and Aurora brands, without having to commit to substantial investments in brick and mortar facilities. Namaste is a trusted partner with whom we already successfully collaborate on two promising initiatives, and we look forward to extending our partnership based on innovation and customer care excellence.”

Sean Dollinger, President and CEO of Namaste added, “We are thrilled to have Aurora, the industry’s most innovative and dynamic Licensed Producer, as our preferred strategic partner. Our drive to innovate meets the cannabis industry`s need for reliable technological solutions to improve operational efficiencies and expand the customer experience. We are very proud to be aligned with Aurora’s team, and look forward to executing on our ongoing collaboration.”

About Aurora

Aurora’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Aurora Cannabis Enterprises Inc., is a licensed producer of medical cannabis pursuant to Health Canada’s Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (“ACMPR”). The Company operates a 55,200 square foot, state-of-the-art production facility in Mountain View County, Alberta, known as “Aurora Mountain”, a second 40,000 square foot high-technology production facility known as “Aurora Vie” in Pointe-Claire, Quebec on Montreal’s West Island, and is currently constructing an 800,000 square foot production facility, known as “Aurora Sky”, at the Edmonton International Airport, as well as is completing a fourth facility in Lachute, Quebec through its wholly owned subsidiary Aurora Larssen Projects Ltd.

In addition, the Company holds approximately 17.23% of the issued shares in leading extraction technology company Radient Technologies Inc., based in Edmonton, and is in the process of completing an investment in Edmonton-based Hempco Food and Fiber for an ownership stake of up to 50.1%. Furthermore, Aurora is the cornerstone investor with a 22.9% stake in Cann Group Limited, the first Australian company licensed to conduct research on and cultivate medical cannabis. Aurora also owns Pedanios, a leading wholesale importer, exporter, and distributor of medical cannabis in the European Union, based in Germany. The Company offers further differentiation through its acquisition of BC Northern Lights Ltd. and Urban Cultivator Inc., industry leaders, respectively, in the production and sale of proprietary systems for the safe, efficient and high-yield indoor cultivation of cannabis, and in state-of-the-art indoor gardening appliances for the cultivation of organic microgreens, vegetables and herbs in home and professional kitchens. Aurora’s common shares trade on the TSX under the symbol “ACB”.

About Namaste Technologies Inc.

Namaste is the largest online retailer for medical cannabis delivery systems globally. Namaste distributes vaporizers and smoking accessories through e-commerce sites in 26 countries and with 5 distribution hubs located around the world. Namaste has majority market share in Europe and Australia, with operations in the UK, US, Canada and Germany, and has opened new supply channels into emerging markets, including Brazil, Mexico and Chile. Namaste, through its acquisition of Cannmart Inc., a Canadian based late-stage applicant for a medical cannabis distribution license (under the ACMPR Program) is pursuing a new revenue vertical in online retail of medical cannabis in the Canadian market. Namaste intends to leverage its existing database of Canadian medical cannabis consumers, along with its expertise in e-commerce to create an online marketplace for medical cannabis patients, offering a larger variety of product and a better user experience.

On behalf of the Boards of Directors

Terry Booth

Sean Dollinger

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer

This news release includes statements containing certain “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities law (“forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as “plan”, “continue”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “potential”, “proposed” and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” occur. These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Aurora and Namaste are under no obligation, and expressly disclaim any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.

Neither TSX or CSE, nor their Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of Toronto Stock Exchange and CSE) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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ThreeD Capital $IDK.ca Adds Frank Dumas To Advisory Board $SX.ca $SXOOF $HIVE.ca $BLOC.ca $CODE.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 9:33 PM on Sunday, December 31st, 2017

Threed capital

  • Announced the addition of Frank Dumas, President and CEO of St-Georges Eco-Mining Corp (SX:CSE) to its Advisory Board
  • Mr. Dumas has over 15 years of experience in the financial industry, including consulting for foreign governments on international administration and strategic governance

Toronto – December 31, 2017 – ThreeD Capital Inc. (the “Company”) (CSE:IDK) a Canadian-based venture capital firm focused on investments in promising, early stage companies with disruptive capabilities, today announced the addition of Frank Dumas, President and CEO of St-Georges Eco-Mining Corp (SX:CSE) to its Advisory Board.

Mr. Dumas has over 15 years of experience in the financial industry, including consulting for foreign governments on international administration and strategic governance. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and a Master’s degree in Public Administration. He was the Founder and President of 701 Mining, which exited to Argex Titanium in 2008.

Over the past couple of years at St-Georges Eco-Mining, Mr. Dumas has secured significant mineral rights in Iceland that control, directly or indirectly, through rights of first refusal, all of the active mineral tenures in Iceland. In addition, St-Georges is developing disruptive eco-mining processing solutions and is also developing mining & commodities industry related technology.

Sheldon Inwentash, Chairman and CEO of ThreeD Capital stated “Frank brings significant experience in multiple areas of interest relevant to ThreeD Capital. His development of disruptive technologies and solutions at St. Georges demonstrates abilities that will add great value to our Advisory Board”.

Mr. Dumas stated “It is a great honour to join ThreeD Capital as an Advisor. The Company’s focus on disruptive technologies in the junior resources, artificial intelligence and blockchain sectors is consistent with my strengths and I look forward to helping the Company develop its investments.”

About ThreeD Capital Inc.

ThreeD is a publicly-traded Canadian-based venture capital firm focused on opportunistic investments in companies in the junior resources, Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain sectors. ThreeD’s investment strategy is to invest in multiple private and public companies across a variety of sectors primarily in North America.

ThreeD seeks to invest in early stage, promising companies where it may be the lead investor and can additionally provide investees with advisory services, mentoring and access to the Company’s network in order to earn increases to the Company’s equity stake.

For further information:
Gerry Feldman, CPA, CA
Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary

[email protected]
Phone: 416-606-7655

 

 

 

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St-Georges $SX.ca $SXOOF Adds Legendary Financier Sheldon Inwentash to Advisory Board $IDK.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 9:30 PM on Sunday, December 31st, 2017

Sx large

  • Announced the appointment of Sheldon Inwentash, President and CEO of ThreeD Capital Inc. (IDK:CSE) to its Advisory Board
  • Mr. Inwentash has more than 30 years of investing experience and success, financing hundreds of private and public start-up companies

Montreal, Quebec, December 31, 2017 – St-Georges Eco-Mining Corp. (CSE: SX) (OTC: SXOOF) (FSE: 85G1) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sheldon Inwentash, President and CEO of ThreeD Capital Inc. (IDK:CSE) to its Advisory Board.

Mr. Inwentash has more than 30 years of investing experience and success, financing hundreds of private and public start-up companies. The Financial Post called him a “A World Leader in financing junior resource firms”.  In 1994, he co-founded Visible Genetics, the first commercial pharmacogenomics company and exited in 2001 to Bayer. Through two decades leading Pinetree Capital, Mr. Inwentash created significant shareholder value through early investments and subsequent exits in companies such as Queenston Mining (acquired by Osisko Mining Corp. for $550-million), Aurelian Resources (acquired by Kinross for $1.2-billion) and Gold Eagle Mines (acquired by Goldcorp for $1.5-billion), with the firm’s market capitalization exceeding $1 Billion at its peak.

As the Founder, Chairman and CEO of ThreeD Capital, Mr. Inwentash has set his firm’s focus on companies in the junior resources, artificial intelligence and blockchain sectors, with meaningful investments and partnerships in each. ThreeD Capital recently launched Blockamoto.io, an early stage investor platform that supports companies who use blockchain to enhance the value of new and existing ventures.

Frank Dumas, CEO of St-Georges stated “Sheldon brings unparalleled knowledge, experience and success to St-Georges at a critical juncture of our development. I welcome him to our team and look forward to working closely with him in 2018 and beyond.”

“It is a pleasure to join St-Georges as an Advisor. I look forward to working with Frank and his team on the Company’s interests in Iceland, green technology initiatives and mining & commodities industry related technology.”

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MARK BILLINGS, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

About St-Georges

St-Georges is developing new technologies to solve the some of the most common environmental problems in the mining industry.

The Company controls directly or indirectly, through rights of first refusal, all of the active mineral tenures in Iceland. It also explores for nickel on the Julie Nickel Project & for industrial minerals on Quebec’s North Shore and for lithium and rare metals in Northern Quebec and in the Abitibi region. Headquartered in Montreal, St-Georges’ stock is listed on the CSE under the symbol SX, on the US OTC under the Symbol SXOOF and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol 85G1. For additional information, please visit our website at www.stgeorgesplatinum.com

The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of the contents of this release.

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Global #Solar Demand Monitor: Q4 2017 $HPQ.ca $FSLR $SPWR $CSIQ $NEP

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 2:32 PM on Friday, December 29th, 2017
  • Global solar market will hit almost 100 GW in 2017, up 12% on 2017 and another record high
  • Market will continue to grow to annual installations of over 120 GW by 2022
by Benjamin Attia, Manan Parikh, Tom Heggarty

The global solar market will hit almost 100 GW in 2017, up 12% on 2017 and another record high. The market will continue to grow to annual installations of over 120 GW by 2022. Outside of China, competitive auctions are driving installations in many developed and emerging markets. A resurgence of European demand in 2018 will bring 43% annual growth as Latin American demand more than doubles in the same year.

Global PV Demand, 2007-2022E

The Global Solar Demand Monitor is a quarterly report that provides insight into major developments for the global solar landscape, offering an assessment of the trajectory and key trends in the global market and providing scenario-based demand forecasts, insights on project pipelines, financing conditions, and supply-chain dynamics at the regional and country level. The analysis spans across market segments – residential, commercial, industrial and utility-scale – and includes deep-dive analyses on each regional market.

This report is part of GTM Research’s Global Downstream Solar Service, an annual subscription that analyzes the demand drivers, policies and risks that shape global solar markets. It enables companies to be successful in navigating the global market today, and anticipate trends in the future.

Source: https://www.greentechmedia.com/research/report/global-solar-demand-monitor-q4-2017

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#Bitcoin or #Blockchain ? Bet That Both Will Thrive in 2018 $IDK.ca #Entherium #Blockstation $HIVE.ca $CODE.ca $BLOC.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 11:24 AM on Friday, December 29th, 2017
  • Bitcoin and blockchain are often pitted against each other, but I come from both worlds and believe that both are game-changers in their own right
  • Cryptocurrencies will continue to attract users as more folks learn about distortions in mainstream financial markets that just don’t make sense

Caitlin Long is the chairman and president of Symbiont, an enterprise blockchain platform. 

The following article, an exclusive contribution to CoinDesk’s 2017 in Review, outlines Long’s personal views and is not intended to provide investment advice.

Bitcoin and blockchain are often pitted against each other, but I come from both worlds and believe that both are game-changers in their own right.

I first learned about bitcoin in 2012 through liberty-oriented channels, which I’d discovered during a search for answers about the financial crisis in 2008. But I also took a deep dive into enterprise blockchain in 2014 while at Morgan Stanley, as a side interest to my day job of running its pension solutions business. In August 2016, I joined Symbiont full-time.

When I look ahead, I see 2018 as a year of maturity for both the bitcoin and enterprise blockchain parts of the space. Bitcoin will yet again prove its anti-fragility, more corporates will embrace it for payments, and the community will successfully resist its financialization. Enterprise blockchain will gain wider acceptance in production applications.

Bitcoin goes corporate

Bitcoin will increasingly be used for B2B foreign-exchange payments by multinational companies in 2018, as bid-offer spreads continue to tighten, daily liquidity consistently exceeds $5 billion and corporate new entrants gain comfort with liquidity providers (which enable corporates to use bitcoin for “cross-currency” transactions without touching the bitcoin itself–in other words, as an intermediary currency for foreign exchange in illiquid currencies).

Corporate bitcoin use will remain predominantly for payments in markets where banking systems are not well-developed. A tell-tale sign that corporate demand is sustainable would be this: when foreign exchange (FX) trading desks start making markets in bitcoin non-deliverable forwards (NDFs).

When that starts – possibly within the next 2 years – Jamie Dimon will admit his mistake and encourage corporate clients to route payments through JPMorgan’s foreign exchange desk, which will become one of the most active market-makers for cross-currency FX involving bitcoin.

Cryptocurrencies will continue to attract users as more folks learn about distortions in mainstream financial markets that just don’t make sense, such as this:  household net worth in the U.S. was $96.9 trillion, up $7.2 trillion in the year ending September 30, 2017 (according to the Fed’s latest Z.1 report).

This means the U.S. economy supposedly generated wealth at a rate equal to roughly 40% of its annual income (GDP), despite Americans consuming virtually all of their income and saving very little. Wow, that’s a miracle!

Remember this: all prices are fractions. Prices can go up either because numerators go up or because denominators go down (such as when central banks dilute fiat currencies). So…are financial markets climbing because we’re truly getting richer, or because of central bank-induced asset price inflation? Are quantity-constrained cryptocurrencies a safe-haven alternative? Time will tell, but I predict cryptocurrencies will broadly benefit as more folks come to understand what’s driving distortions in financial markets.

One of the “big 3” cross-currency central banks will announce in 2018 that it is preparing to issue its currency on a blockchain. The “big 3” are the “super-regional” central banks through which most “cross-currency” foreign exchange transactions settle, including the Fed, the Bank of England and the Bank of Japan. The Fed is behind the curve, but in 2018 either the BoE or the BoJ will step forward to allow tokenization of its currency to be executed by institutions in regulatory sandboxes. Corporate treasurers around the world will cheer at the prospect of same-day FX settlement through one (or two) of these “big-3” currencies because it will free up hundreds of billions of capital currently trapped on corporate balance sheets, due to payment system latency.

Yet for all bitcoin’s strengths, I believe advances in the enterprise blockchain will outpace those of bitcoin in 2018.

Let’s face it – enterprises are slower to move than the cryptoasset sector, which moves-fast-and-sometimes-breaks-things.

I believe 2018 will be the year in which a watershed event happens: an enterprise blockchain platform passes a CISO (chief information security officer) audit and is deployed inside the firewall of major financial institutions.

Enterprise goes live

Consensus 2018 will be “back to the suits.” Let’s face it: attire at industry’s biggest conference has been a pretty good barometer of what’s hot in the space. At the inaugural Consensus conference in 2015, bitcoin t-shirts dominated the audience. In 2016, business suits dominated as bankers discovered the space. In 2017, the dominant attire swung back to t-shirts, but this time for ethereum and ICOs. In 2018, I predict it will be “back to the suits” as enterprise blockchain accomplishments will again dominate the sector’s headlines, late-followers will scramble to catch up, and corporate treasurers will attend en masse.

The first institutional bond offering will be issued on a blockchain in the U.S. in 2018. Bond markets, not stock markets, will see the first U.S. institutional-level securities issued on a blockchain. Because the regulatory requirement to issue securities in “depository-eligible” (indirect) form does not apply to bond markets, the first institutional securities issued on a blockchain will be bonds – something I’ve predicted for years. In 2018, I believe it will finally happen. Yet, the coming clash between the federal securities laws that govern equities (which contemplate indirect ownership via the DTCC’s Cede & Co.) and state corporate laws (which contemplate that shares are owned directly by shareholders) will not happen yet in 2018.

No new blockchain consortiums will be formed in 2018. If 2017 were the year of forming new consortiums, 2018 will be the year of bilateral projects. Blockchains are networks and therefore suffer from the proverbial chicken and egg problem – consortium first and then project, or project first and then consortium? Consortiums now exist across a wide variety of industries, but – at least for now – more action is happening outside of consortiums than inside them.

Enterprise blockchain adoption will advance beyond incremental-type uses in production, such as sharing of data, to include transformational uses, such as custody of institutional financial assets that only ever exist on a blockchain. This will shine light on quality differences between platforms — and separate those that are decentralized and offer transformational benefits from those that don’t quite. A big gap will open in 2018 between the “haves” and “have-nots” in enterprise blockchain.

2018 will be a consolidation year as the sector matures. The sector came of age in 2017, as adoption broadened in both bitcoin and blockchain. In 2018, both will strengthen and deepen further. And property owners the world round will rejoice.

Disclosure: Caitlin owns cryptocurrency (bitcoin, almost exclusively) and has equity investments in Symbiont, Overstock.com and Payward, the parent company of Kraken.

Source: https://www.coindesk.com/bitcoin-blockchain-bet-will-thrive-2018/

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