The Bank of Spain approved this Wednesday for the first time the registration of the cryptocurrency platform Bit2Me, a Spanish platform that provides cryptocurrency exchange services for fiat currency and is also a custodian of electronic wallets.

According to media such as El País, the registration process of cryptocurrency exchanges in the Bank of Spain was opened several months ago, and the exchanges had to demonstrate that they comply with the requirements of commercial and professional honorability established for credit institutions and with the regulations for the prevention of both money laundering and the financing of terrorism, in order to be registered.

In October 2021 the Bank of Spain had opened the registry for cryptocurrency providers. Previously, the central bank had already clarified that all those operating cryptocurrencies had to register, even if they are already registered in other administrative instances of the entity, as in the case of banks.

It is worth remembering that Bit2Me became very famous last year in Spain when it ran a poster campaign in Madrid, near important institutions such as the Bank of Spain itself.

Many requirements

To achieve registration, Bit2Me had to demonstrate having adequate means to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing.

“The platforms must have duly identified the client that operates with them and have a prevention manual, among other requirements that are already requested from financial institutions. Bit2Me assures that it has already been complying with them voluntarily, although it has had to send extra documentation to the regulator”, explains the local news media.

Bit2Me offers its services in more than 100 countries and recorded a transaction volume of more than 1.1 billion euros (USD $1.25 billion) in 2021.

According to the company’s CEO, Leif Ferreira, the recognition from the Bank of Spain is “a boost to our business relations. Being the first company in the world to achieve this recognition speaks volumes about the security with which our service is developed and the confidence in Bit2Me”.

Victoria’s Secret is taking steps related to the world of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and the metaverse

Trademark attorney Michael Kondoudis, made public via Twiteer that Victoria’s Secret had filed four applications for digital collectibles and media developed with blockchain technology, as well as apparel and online media for use in virtual worlds.

“Victoria’s Secret arrives in the Metaverse! New trademark applications filed Feb. 8 indicate that @VictoriasSecret plans to offer digital collectibles and media created with Blockchain technology and online apparel and media for use in ‘virtual environments.

Victoria’s Secret to metaverse

Going into one of the trademark applications, specifically of the logo, it reads that it is being registered for:

“Downloadable virtual goods, namely software for the creation and trade of digital collectibles using blockchain-based consensus protocols and smart contracts, containing information, photos, images, videos, recordings, highlights and experiences in the field of fashion, apparel, fashion accessories and style; downloadable digital media, namely digital collectibles created with blockchain-based consensus protocols and smart contracts, in the form of information, photos, pictures, images, videos, recorded footage, highlights and experiences in the field of fashion, clothing, fashion accessories and style.”

It also registers the logo for:

“Retail store services with virtual products, namely apparel, underwear, footwear, headwear, eyewear, eyeglasses, handbags, fashion accessories, photographs, images, images, videos and recorded footage for use in virtual environments and virtual fashion shows; online retail store services with virtual products, namely apparel, underwear, footwear, headwear, eyewear, eyeglasses, handbags, fashion accessories, photographs, images, images, videos and recorded footage for use in virtual environments and virtual fashion shows.”

This registration is important because the trademark could not be legally used by third parties in the multiverse without the authorization of the original company.

Microsoft appears to be developing its own Web3 strategy under Blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies.

Microsoft announced that it is looking to hire a Director of Cryptocurrency Business Development, Finbold reported.

 The person should have “understanding of the Web 3.0 market,” reads the recruitment notice for full-time staff dated Feb. 7.

Vacancy for Web3 strategy leader

The posting suggests that the director will be part of Microsoft’s artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies business development team, which is responsible for inorganic growth of the company’s products and services in those key areas.

Part of the new director’s role will be to “lay the foundation to support and inform Microsoft’s Web 3.0 strategy,” the posting reads.

The ad highlights that the person should possess qualities to mentor and lead staff and notes some of the tasks:

Work with engineering teams across the company to understand when existing infrastructure can be leveraged, enhanced or built upon. Develop the vision, strategy and roadmap for Microsoft’s Web 3.0 partnership model, including infrastructure and APIs.

Among the requirements to apply for the position, the person must have a master’s degree or advanced degree in business, science or a related field; as well as 10+ years of work experience in the field. For example, having worked in investment banking, consulting, finance, marketing, corporate strategy, sales, venture capital, software development, among others.

The publication also emphasizes that the new director should have experience in digital currencies and their underlying technology, as well as knowledge of the different surrounding trends in that ecosystem. In a section specifying the minimum qualifications for the position, it reads:

1+ years of cryptocurrency experience, with knowledge of technology and protocols related to DeFi (decentralized finance), NFT (non-fungible tokens), DAO (decentralized autonomous organization) and Web 3.0.

Microsoft’s hiring announcement comes shortly after the company announced the acquisition of video game developer, Activision Blizzard.

The move has been interpreted as Microsoft’s first steps into the metaverse, another concept that has generated great interest among technology companies.