The Currency Scene
Is Gold Really A Safe Investment?
- Written by: The Lowell Sun
- Category: Markets & Metals
Gold has long been considered a safe haven for investors who wish to insulate themselves from the whims and fancies of the volatile markets of both stocks and bonds. True? Or just another myth promoted by hype-sters who would just love to sell you... well... some gold! Martin Krikorian breaks down the myth with a practical look at the real value of gold.
Don't Get Caught with Your Pants Down
- Written by: Matthew S Daye
- Category: Cash-In-Transit
In Oregon not too long ago we again hear the typical story about the risks of secure transport. It was reportedd that two cases of money were stolen from an armored car in Northeast Portland. The money was on its way to an ATM machine.
Do You Have a Generic Banking Brand? Or a Niche Focus?
- Written by: Kevin Tynan, The Financial Brand
- Category: Banking
Community-based institutions must serve a specific niche in order to survive. Do you know what your unique position is in the market? Or do you have a generic brand? A marketing plan is just not enough.
Digital Currency Doesn't Mean We're Dropping Cash
- Written by: Matthew S Daye
- Category: Digital Currency
There's interesting news out of Ecuador. The government is planning to release a new digital currency, possibly as soon as late this year. Unlike Bitcoin and other existing digital currencies, this new version will be the first digital currency released by a national central bank as an official state currency.
Does this step indicate a "giant leap forward" for an all-digital monetary system, moving us even closer to a completely cashless society? While a total lack of cash may be somewhere in the future, we're not there yet. Not even close.
An ATM -- Or an unpatched and easily hacked PC
- Written by: The Register
- Category: ATM
Almost any cash machine in the world could be illegally accessed and jackpotted with or without the help of malware. Security researchers at Kaspersky Lab reached this conclusion after investigating real attacks on ATMs and assessments of the machines carried out for several international banks.
Over $9 Million Is Stolen Each Year From Banks and Armored Cars!
- Written by: Matthew S Daye
- Category: Cash-In-Transit
In November 2013, the Prosperity Bank in El Campo, Texas was robbed. According to the local El Campo Leader-News, three suspects, had been placed on trial – and they have pleaded guilty. Score one for law enforcement. In other news, an armored car, carrying $4 million, was hijacked by robbers. The robbers apprently took the vehicle to a metalworking plant and cut it open to get to the money. This time they got away. Sound more familiar?
Blockchain in Japan – Understanding the Legal Framework
- Written by: Aikon
- Category: Digital Currency
As with all innovation, blockchain technology can only develop so far before it faces legal hurdles making it necessary to create an acceptable legal framework to grow within.
So far, even the leading blockchain countries have been slow to accommodate this fast-growing business and technology development, thus hindering and even blocking it from achieving its potential.
