ARK CryptoCurrency unveils new Testnet with mobile and desktop clients.

Ark CryptoCurrency unveils their public Testnet along with both mobile and desktop clients – setting another first in the industry, after already releasing the ARK code to github, all while their TEC (Token Exchange Campaign) is still running.

The ARK Crew, the development team behind the ARK Ecosystem, has announced the release of their first publically available test network. The ARK testnet will be an alpha release featuring custom, open source mobile and desktop clients, as well as many updates to the core voting mechanism and network technology behind their dpos algorithm.

Read more: http://www.pressat.co.uk/releases/ark-cryptocurrency-unveils-new-testnet-with-mobile-and-desktop-clients-1b3460a6389966f59731aed27c51185c/

Police Freeze Japanese Bitcoin Exchange’s Bank Account

Japanese Bitcoin exchange CoinCheck has temporarily suspended a large proportion of customer withdrawals due to the Metropolitan Police Department freezing their main bank account.

The exchange currently utilises the services of three banks in Japan, but cited in a company announcement that their main bank ‘Rakuten bank’ held the lions share of customer funds.

It is not yet clear why the police have frozen the exchange’s bank account as they are waiting for an official response.

Bitcoin is currently trading at 1,348.89 CNY

CoinCheck launched in September 2014 and has ambitious plans to capture the Japanese Bitcoin scene.

Q&A with telecoms operator pioneering Bitcoin in the Czech Republic

Czech telecommunications operator NETBOX now accepts Bitcoin as a valid payment method making it the first telecoms company in the Czech Republic to do so.

The company provides a plethora of telecoms services ranging from broadband, mobile phone plans right through to television subscriptions. NETBOX have over 100,000 customers using their services including governments, schools and other state bodies.

Although the company is embracing Bitcoin, they are still unsure as to whether adopting the digital currency will bring new customers or just add convenience for current users as an alternative method of payment..

The Czech’s have fell in love with Bitcoin since it’s launch in 2011. According to Google Trends the Czech Republic has drummed up the most internet searches for bitcoin related terms.

We caught up with David Otoupalík, Marketing Director at NETBOX to find out more.

What are the benefits of NETBOX accepting Bitcoin payments for customers?

Customer’s can use their Bitcoins and pay for internet and tv bills without any money transaction. We also accepting Bitcoins in our customer’s office.

Are you the first Czech ISP to accept Bitcoin? is this something customers requested?

Yes, we are the first ISP in Czech, which accept Bitcoin as regular payment method. All customers can login into customer’s self care and pay online all the bills.

Are Bitcoins becoming widely acceptable in the Czech Republic?

Not at all. We know only about some Subway’s which accept Bitcoins and also DameJidlo.cz, which is Czech food delivery service.

Have you had any customers use Bitcoin yet?

Yes, after launch, some customers paid their bills with Bitcoins and the transaction was realised successfully. So it works!

Do you see Bitcoin increasing NETBOX revenue?

Unfortunately not.

For more details about the official announcement please see here: