Jacobi lists Europe’s first spot Bitcoin ETF decarbonised by Zumo

Underscoring the evolving landscape of digital asset investment and environmental consciousness, Jacobi Asset Management (Jacobi) has introduced Europe’s first spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) on the Euronext Amsterdam exchange. Named the Jacobi FT Wilshire Bitcoin ETF, this innovative investment vehicle not only marks a significant milestone in cryptocurrency but also sets a new standard for environmental sustainability in the sector. The ETF stands out as a decarbonised digital asset fund compliant with SFDR Article 8 regulations, reflecting Jacobi’s commitment to responsible investing.

One of the standout features of the Jacobi FT Wilshire Bitcoin ETF is its verifiable built-in Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) solution. This solution addresses a pressing concern in the crypto space – the energy consumption associated with Bitcoin mining. By integrating REC, Jacobi not only offers institutional investors exposure to the potential benefits of Bitcoin but also enables them to align their investment strategies with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives.

Regulated by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission (GFSC), the ETF trades under the ticker symbol BCOIN.

The ETF derives its benchmark from the FT Wilshire Bitcoin Blended Price Index, a reflection of its commitment to transparent and reliable valuation. The pricing mechanism is also underpinned by the expertise of Wilshire Indexes, ensuring accurate and real-time pricing for investors. However, the true innovation lies in the collaboration with digital asset platform Zumo, which has led to the creation of the REC solution. This partnership has enabled Jacobi to bridge the gap between digital asset investments and environmental responsibility.

Mark Makepeace, CEO of Wilshire Indexes said:

“The launch of the Jacobi FT Wilshire Bitcoin ETF is an important milestone for the digital asset industry and a transformative moment for the global financial industry. We are excited about the partnership with Jacobi and, as a leader in the development of institutional grade digital asset benchmarks, we are committed to helping accelerate the advancement of the entire digital asset ecosystem.”

Kirsteen Harrison, Environmental Manager, Zumo, commented:

“The decarbonisation of crypto is one of the most pressing challenges facing the nascent digital assets sector, and there is increasing pressure on all businesses to have credible plans to decarbonise. We’ve been working closely with Jacobi Asset Management to help them build out an ESG-aligned, future-proofed crypto offering for their customers. It’s hugely exciting to see it come to life in the shape of Europe’s first Bitcoin ETF. We’re creating the investment products of tomorrow ”“ what a moment for the industry.”

Nikola Kelly joins Scotcoin’s Advisory Panel.

The Scotcoin Project (TSP) is excited to announce the addition of Nikola Kelly from the Be-It Group to its Advisory Panel.

Nik has a vast background in the Scottish Technology sector, leading highly skilled teams for 16 years. Recently, she completed an MBO of Be-IT Group, which includes Be-IT Resourcing, the largest independently owned IT Recruitment Specialist firm in Scotland, and BE-IT Projects, a growing IT consultancy. Nik’s primary focus remains on the growth of Be-IT Group. She also serves on the Advisory Board for Career Ready, a national social mobility charity, and actively promotes diversity and inclusion in the Scottish technology market. Nik frequently speaks at events on topics such as Women in Technology and Inclusion within Neurodiverse Communities. Alongside her impressive professional achievements, Nik is a mother of four and has received recognition as the Scottish Women in Business Young Star and for her outstanding contributions as a young business leader.

Starting from 1st July, Nik will join the TSP advisory panel to assist in the search for a CEO who will lead the management team. This team’s primary objective will be to develop a preferred partner base centered around TSP’s core values of providing food, clothing, and accommodation for those in greatest need.

Temple Melville, CEO of TSP, expressed his delight at Nik’s inclusion in the Advisory Panel, emphasising her extensive knowledge and expertise in both IT and business. He believes that she will play a significant role in implementing the business plan as it unfolds.

Nikola Kelly shared her excitement about joining the TSP Advisory Panel during this momentous period. Having supported numerous fintech companies in their growth journeys, she finds it incredible to be involved with Scotland’s digital currency and the world’s first ethical cryptocurrency. Nik is thrilled to embark on this amasing journey and contribute to making a positive social and ethical impact.

Zumo pushes to decarbonise digital assets at Money20/20 Europe

Scottish fintech Zumo is just back from Money20/20 where it announced the introduction of Oxygen, an innovative solution aimed at decarbonising digital assets for financial institutions that prioritise environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors.

This groundbreaking launch took place at Money20/20 Europe in Amsterdam, marking a significant milestone just one year after Zumo and its partner, Zero Labs received a grant from Innovate UK, the UK’s national innovation agency. The grant was awarded to support their joint research on decarbonising digital assets, with a particular emphasis on finding practical approaches for scaling the utilisation of renewable energy in wallets and platforms.

Oxygen empowers Zumo’s clients, including banks and asset managers, to offer ESG-aligned digital asset solutions that are future-proof. This targeted solution combines crypto electricity consumption forecasting and calculation with standard industry data. By leveraging Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for renewable energy procurement, Zumo ensures transparency and verifiability in powering crypto or blockchain activities with renewables. As a result, Zumo’s clients can effectively reduce the Scope 3 emissions associated with their digital asset offerings and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.

The introduction of Oxygen follows the successful completion of Zumo’s Zero Hero pilot project, a live trial that involved purchasing RECs to offset the electricity consumption of Bitcoin transactions conducted through a direct-to-consumer crypto app powered by Zumo’s infrastructure. Through this initiative, Zero Hero REC purchases covered £1.5 million worth of Bitcoin, compensating for a total of 850 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity””an amount equivalent to driving an electric vehicle for over 2.6 million miles. Furthermore, Zumo procured an additional 126.36 MWh to decarbonise Ethereum’s historical emissions and the company’s ETH holdings, actively participating in the Blocks.garden initiative.

Nick Jones, Co-Founder and CEO of Zumo, expressed his enthusiasm, stating,

“The carbon footprint associated with digital asset products is often a significant concern. With Oxygen, our pioneering solution, we provide businesses with practical methods to meet customer demands for digital assets while simultaneously addressing environmental challenges and demonstrating positive ESG-aligned actions.”

“Oxygen empowers banks, asset managers, and financial institutions to align their digital asset offerings with their broader net-zero strategies, enabling them to make verifiable decarbonisation claims. Today’s launch is a testament to the tireless efforts of our team and our partners at Zero Labs. We hope it sets a positive example for the market, showcasing what is truly achievable.”

The decarbonisation of digital assets stands as one of the most critical challenges faced by the emerging digital assets sector. Zumo has emerged as a leader in addressing this challenge and has published a series of influential reports that are shaping the industry’s trajectory (accessible at zumo.tech/crypto-knowledge-hub). Zumo’s efforts have been recognised through several accolades, including the prestigious “Best Application of ESG” award at City AM’s

Photo by Worldspectrum: https://www.pexels.com/photo/ripple-etehereum-and-bitcoin-and-micro-sdhc-card-844124/

GiftRound and Mangopay strengthen partnership

GiftRound, the specialist platform for group gift collection, has announced an enhanced partnership with Mangopay, a platform-specific payment infrastructure provider, to handle all payment flows on the platform. This partnership was established in 2018, at the inception of GiftRound, which has thus far processed over £10.5 million through more than 75,000 money pots using Mangopay.

GiftRound offers a secure, dependable and user-friendly online service that facilitates group gift collection. The platform’s aim is to bring people together to celebrate and revive the pleasure of giving gifts in groups for the collector, the donor, and the recipient. Presently, there are over 800,000 users for 125 daily created GiftRounds.

The management of payment flows is central to GiftRound’s service. The company required a robust payment provider to process intricate payment flows. Mangopay’s expertise and capabilities were a perfect match for this purpose, with a long track record of working with platform-specific businesses, including crowdfunding companies. With Mangopay’s API, GiftRound can ensure secure money collection, fraud prevention and anti-money laundering measures, all of which are vital for the platform. Mangopay also offers KYC processes alongside secure and diverse payment methods.

Moreover, GiftRound will now incorporate Mangopay’s e-wallet modular technology, which will add an extra layer of protection and security before dispersing funds to the recipient. This functionality will provide flexible and scalable pay-in and pay-out capabilities, which are crucial for the platform and GiftRound’s commitment to delivering dependable and seamless payment experiences to customers.

Craig Forsythe, CEO & Founder, GiftRound highlights:

“Having started this journey with Mangopay in 2018, we’re delighted to continue working together. Payment flows are crucial for us as we work on maintaining our high levels of growth by listening to our customers to improve their payment experience on our platform. It is key for us to work with a trusted partner and we know that crowdfunding payment flows are part of Mangopay’s DNA. Mangopay will enable us to process multiple payment flows daily in the safest way possible and we look forward to continuing to grow a reliable, secure service with our trusted partner.”

Luke Trayfoot, Chief Revenue Officer, Mangopay declares:

“Our modular and flexible payment infrastructure is a necessary asset for platforms, especially as they look to further improve their payment operations, user experience and scalability. We are proud to support GiftRound on its payment journey and help their customers organise gift collections quickly and easily. The UK represents a key growth market for Mangopay and having national partners such as GiftRound is fundamental for our expansion in the market.”

New Scotcoin reward programme

Scotcoin, a decentralised digital currency created to provide a secure and stable alternative to traditional fiat currencies, has recently announced its new Rewards Programme. This exciting programme is designed exclusively for Scotcoin holders and is a unique opportunity for cryptocurrency enthusiasts to enjoy significant savings on various products and services.

The Rewards Programme, which is the first of its kind, is aimed at providing an innovative approach to incentivising Scotcoin holders to continue holding and using the cryptocurrency. The programme offers a wide range of discounts, including significant savings on shopping, groceries, entertainment, theme parks, audiobooks, and online classes. By utilising Scotcoin as a payment method, users can enjoy these savings and support the growth of the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

One of the most remarkable features of the Rewards Programme is its affordability. For only 1,000 SCOT, users can access the programme and take advantage of the discounts on offer. The availability of such a low-cost programme is a testament to Scotcoin’s commitment to democratising access to its services and supporting its growing community.

The Scotcoin team’s dedication to social responsibility is evident in its recent partnership with Scotcoin Carbon Offset, which allows Scotcoin holders to use their cryptocurrency for carbon offsetting. By using Scotcoin for this purpose, holders can contribute to environmental conservation efforts while enjoying the benefits of the cryptocurrency.

The Rewards Programme is just one of the many exciting initiatives that Scotcoin is launching to promote the widespread adoption of cryptocurrency. With the increasing acceptance of cryptocurrencies worldwide, Scotcoin’s unique approach to incentivising users to hold and use their cryptocurrency could serve as a template for other digital currencies.

For cryptocurrency enthusiasts looking for an ethical and community-focused alternative to traditional fiat currencies, Scotcoin is the way to go. By participating in the Rewards Programme, users can not only enjoy significant savings but also contribute to the growth of a sustainable and socially responsible cryptocurrency ecosystem. To access the Rewards Programme, simply visit the Scotcoin website at scotcoinproject.com/rewards.

Dapio, live in BETA on Google Play in the UK

The Dapio app has arrived! With the launch of its groundbreaking smartphone app in beta, receiving payments just became a whole lot easier. For business owners looking for a smarter way to process transactions, they’re just one download away from a world of ease and convenience. The payments revolution has begun.

What is Dapio Tap to Pay?

In short, Dapio Tap to Pay is a simple, fast, contactless way to get paid. They make it easy to turn your smartphone into a direct card reader, so small businesses can get paid wherever they are, and whenever they need to.

To demonstrate just how easy it is to receive a payment, Dapio’s very own co-founder and CEO Kosta Du recently made the first ever Tap to Pay transaction in the UK. And he got it all on video!

Using the technology that already exists in an NFC-enabled Android smartphone, card transactions can be made in just a few seconds. A user simply opens the app, types in the required amount, and their device will transform into a dedicated card reader.

What are the main benefits of Dapio Tap to Pay?

Remember the old adage – time is money’? These days, commerce moves at lighting speed, which is why modern business owners require a simpler payment solution to help execute transactions, fast.

For Android users, that solution is only a few taps away, with the release of the Dapio  smartphone app. Using Dapio Tap to Pay, Sellers can enjoy a scalable payment tool that can keep pace with their thriving business.

Here are some additional benefits that Dapio Tap to Pay provides:

Simple user interface

A streamlined mobile app allows even those with minimal tech expertise to process payments in seconds.

Portable payments

Say goodbye to clunky card readers, with a versatile payment solution, built for on the go’.

In-depth reporting

Access instant overviews of all transaction data, with performance insights and team management tools.

Is it safe?

With extensive safeguards to help protect customer and merchant data, the app maintains a safe transactional environment in which payments can be received. From data encryption to advanced fraud protection, Dapio’s PCI certified safety protocols help provide an extra layer of protection for all users. That means payments can be executed with confidence.

Who can use it?

Accessibility is one of Dapio’s main priorities. The Tap to Pay app is a one-size-fits-all solution to help businesses big and small improve the way they receive payments.

• Side hustlers/gig economy workers
• Cafes/restaurants
• Independent shops
• Gyms/fitness studios
• Delivery and transportation services

Dapio is currently available for all UK small businesses looking to level up their payments experience. Users can sign up on the Dapio website and will receive an invite to their Google Play BETA app.

Scotcoin launches carbon offsetting service

The Scotcoin Project  (CIC) just launched Scotcoin Carbon Offset which allows individuals and businesses to offset their carbon footprint and support the drive to net zero by providing a discount to those who pay with Scotcoin (SCOT), while also accepting payments in pounds sterling.

People can purchase a single tonne of carbon for £20 (10 tonnes would cover the average carbon consumption for a person each year). Businesses can get in touch with the Scotcoin Project to talk about their specific needs.

2022 saw the Scotcoin Project CIC achieved carbon neutral status by offsetting 100 tonnes of CO2 through investment in a project delivered by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Adaption Fund, which seeks to reduce the emissions of harmful greenhouse gases.

Scotcoin seeks to use crypto as a force for good, supporting a range of charitable and environmental projects that boost Scotland’s ambitions for a greener and fairer society.

Temple Melville, CEO of the Scotcoin Project CIC, said:

“We are using cryptocurrency in a unique way to help Scottish people and businesses make their contribution to the country achieving net zero. While offsetting is not the only answer, carbon emissions are an inevitable result of many of the things people do in day-to-day life and in the way businesses operate. It’s not possible to cut all of that out altogether, but it can at least be offset and we believe crypto can play an important role in making that happen.

“We have the flexibility to sell single tonne quantities, which means even individuals can offset what they produce in a year through activities like sending emails or drinking coffee if they want to proactively do more for the planet. The climate crisis remains the biggest challenge society faces and we hope that our carbon initiative, via Scotcoin Carbon Offset, will incentivise more people and businesses to do as much as they can to help us reach net zero.”

To find out more, please visit: www.scotcoincarbonoffset.com