Reuters - Technology Report

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Monday, December 25, 2017

Israel central bank mulls issuing digital currency for faster payments

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - The Bank of Israel is examining issuing digital currency as a means of creating a faster payments system as well as reducing the amount of cash in the economy, a central bank source said on Sunday, though he stressed no decision had yet been made.

China closes more than 13,000 websites in past three years

BEIJING (Reuters) - China has closed more than 13,000 websites since the beginning of 2015 for breaking the law or other rules and the vast majority of people support government efforts to clean up cyberspace, state news agency Xinhua said on Sunday.

Israel regulator seeks to ban bitcoin firms from stock exchange

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's markets regulator said on Monday he will propose regulation to ban companies based on bitcoin and other digital currencies from trading on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE).

Cryptocurrency stocks holding gains despite bitcoin pullback

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks that surged in recent weeks because of the cryptocurrency mania have managed to hold onto most of their gains despite the recent retreat in the price of bitcoin and skepticism from market participants.

In Silicon Valley, much-feared tax bill pays dividends for workers

(This version of December 21's story refiles to add dropped words 'for couples' in paragraph 8.)

CNN to end daily Snapchat show 'The Update' from 2018

(Reuters) - Time Warner Inc's CNN will stop producing its daily show on Snap Inc's Snapchat app, called the "The Update", from 2018, the two companies said on Friday.

U.S. experts resign from monitoring China’s ZTE Corp: sources

(Reuters) - Two consulting firms hired to help the United States police ZTE Corp’s compliance with trade sanctions have resigned, according to four people familiar with the matter.

Qualcomm board rejects Broadcom, Silver Lake director nominees

(Reuters) - Qualcomm Inc on Friday rejected the 11 director nominees picked by Broadcom Ltd and private-equity firm Silver Lake Partners, likely setting the stage for a bitter proxy battle between the chipmakers.

Belarus adopts crypto-currency law to woo foreign investors

MINSK (Reuters) - Belarus has legalized transactions in crypto-currencies, part of a drive to foster private sector growth and attract foreign investment by liberalizing parts of its Soviet-style economy.

Alphabet's Eric Schmidt to step down as executive chairman

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc said on Thursday its Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt will step down in January, ending a 17-year-run in which he played a central role in building a promising startup called Google into a global technology powerhouse.