Top stories in the Crypto Roundup today: SEC greenlights first Ethereum ERC-20 Token, Huobi Thailand receives rare government license and new leverage model announced for real-world assets using MakerDAO.

Bitcoin (BTC) is trading at the time of writing at $9,701.77 (-3.93%) with a daily volume of $2.82bn, while ether (ETH) is trading at $213.51 (-3.95%) with a daily volume of $1.24bn. The MVIS CryptoCompare Digital Assets 10 Index is currently tracking at 3,565.70 (-2.90%).

SEC Greenlights First Ethereum ERC-20 Token

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a no-action letter to Pocketful of Quarters (PoQ), a gaming startup looking to issue tokens on the Ethereum network. Obtaining the no-action relief from the SEC means that PoQ is now able to legally sell its Quarters tokens to consumers without first needing to register them as securities.

While it is the second-ever time the SEC has issued a no-action letter to the seller of a token, it is the first-ever time a seller of an Ethereum-based ERC-20 token has obtained such a letter. “This proves there’s a way forward in the blockchain space, with sensible legal argument for sensible blockchain operations,” tweeted blockchain-focused lawyer Chetan Phull.

Huobi Thailand Receives Rare Government License

Thailand’s Ministry of Finance officially granted cryptocurrency exchange operator Huobi Global a license to facilitate the trading of digital assets. The license - only the fifth to have ever been issued by the Ministry - also permits Huobi to offer local fiat trading and token trading services.

Soon joining the large number of Huobi-affiliated entities that are built using Huobi Cloud - a comprehensive solution that enables the construction of a digital asset exchange - will be Huobi Thailand.

“After entering Thailand, Huobi will also actively cooperate with the government and local enterprises to explore the application scenarios of blockchain,” said Huobi Thailand’s chief executive, Sakda Katekaew, in a press release.

Obtain Leverage on Real-World Assets Using MakerDAO’s MCD Credit System

Brooklyn-based blockchain startup Fluidity announced what it calls the “Tokenized Asset Portfolio (TAP),” a standard model to obtain leverage on real-world assets using decentralized credit facilities such as the soon-to-be-launched multi-collateral Dai (MCD) credit system of MakerDAO’s.

In a blog post, Fluidity revealed its team has already “executed a pilot transaction to demonstrate how the TAP works, pledging U.S. Treasuries as collateral for a CDP (Collateralized Debt Position) loan on” Ethereum’s Kovan testnet.

Once MakerDAO’s MCD system is launched, Fluidity said that it will petition the MakerDAO community to approve U.S. Treasuries as an initial collateral type. What’s more, it will “also look to leverage other collateral types (e.g., mortgages, corporate bonds, equities), as well as other decentralized credit facilities” moving forward.

ChangeAngel.io Holds Crypto Community Charity Lottery for Unique Crypto Artwork

Hartlepool, England - changeangel.io has launched a charity lottery that runs through August 4th that will put the first artist proof print of The Ecstasy (Bitcoin Angel) by Trevor Jones in the hands of one lucky winner. Changeangel.io facilitates crypto-to-crypto, wallet-to-wallet swaps. Whenever a customer swaps their favorite crypto through their site, the organization donates part of the swap revenue to non-profit blockchain development. 

All profits from the crypto community lottery set up by CryptoBantam will be split between Thirst Relief, War Child and Little Edi Foundation. The charities were selected by crypto-businesses, Cudo Miner, DustAid, and ChangeAngel.io. Thirst Relief provides children with access to clean water; War Child supports children in war-affected communities; and the Little Edi Foundation develops children’s educational programs. 

The Ecstasy was presented to ChangeAngel.io at the recent CryptoCompare Digital Asset Summit by Jones. ChangeAngel.io recognized the value the fine piece of augmented crypto art would have at charity auction and Jones agreed.

To enter, go to @changeangel_io on Twitter and purchase a ticket. Once all tickets are sold or the timer on the page expires, participants will be sent an entry number. The bitcoin blockchain will decide the winner. For more information, click here. 

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