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Top 8 Credible Blockchain News Websites That Are Worth Reading in 2020

Top 8 Credible Blockchain News Websites

You might be familiar with the term “blockchain” if, during the recent years, you have been using cryptocurrency. Yet, if you search about it, you may find different definitions. We bring you one simple version: blockchain is a list of records, also known as a database or a” public book” that records bitcoin transactions.

1. CCN

Launched in summer 2013, CCN is also known as CCN markets. It is part of a Norwegian media company. During the time of the bitcoin ”outbreak”, it became one of the most trusted cryptocurrency news sites. It is managed by a diverse team consisted of employees coming from countries of the US, Europe, and Asia.

This website contains news and articles related to Bitcoin and Ethereum currencies, as well as any information related to the blockchain industry. It also provides ICO calendar, event calendar and many other materials.

2. CoinDesk

Founded in May 2013, CoinDesk is recognized as the leading blockchain news media outlet. CoinDesk is a subsidiary of the Digital Currency Group with its main role to inform and connect the global investment community.

It is worth mentioning that CoinDesk as a media platform does not only provide news or articles, but aims to inform and educate the audience by producing videos, data, research, live events, podcasts, newsletters, and many other creative materials.

In the same year of establishment, CoinDesk went a step further, positively impacting its brand by presenting the Bitcoin Price Index, which is the average of bitcoin prices across leading global exchanges.

What further enhances the reputation of CoinDesk is that in May each year it hosts The Annual Consensus Summit. In 2020, this summit is expected to bring together thousands of stakeholders from more than 80 different countries worldwide.

3. TODAYONCHAIN

Among other websites where you can receive a huge amount of reliable information regarding cryptocurrency and blockchain is todayonchain. One of the main goals of this website is to deliver all the news and resources related to cryptocurrency and blockchain, and become just like “one-stop station”.

What sets this source apart is that it offers a list of cryptocurrencies, their prices, and rankings. This can be very fruitful for anyone who is interested to invest in cryptocurrencies.

4. Toshi Times

Toshi Times is also one of the most recognized websites to gather information about cryptocurrency and blockchain. It is dedicated to millions of people interested in cryptocurrency around the world.

Whether you are familiar with cryptocurrency or blockchain, Toshi Times can help you get information in a very well-structured form. You can receive information through some divided rubrics, such as guides, forums, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cipple, Cardano, Blockchain, Exchanges.

Through the forum, all cryptocurrency enthusiasts can discuss, absorb, share their points of view as well as get to know other people by becoming part of a community.

5. CoinTelegraph

The latest news about blockchain, bitcoin, ethereum, cryptocurrency prices and many more, can also be found on CoinTelegraph. What makes this website unique is that it provides content in different languages, such as Japanese, English, Spanish and Serbian as well.

What characterizes this website is accuracy and impartiality, comprehensive approaches, regular reports on the impact that digital currencies bring to society.

6. CryptoSlate

This website was launched a little later, in December 2017. CryptoSlate entered the list of many websites dedicated to cryptocurrency. CryptoSlate is a website owned by an independent organization based in Seattle, Washington. It serves as a gathering destination for digital currency followers and researchers.

The website features various options including cryptocurrency news, coin rankings and it is also focused on product reviews and industry events. It provides wide coverage of very accurate blockchain and cryptocurrency news, real-time prices and data for more than 2386 cryptocurrencies across 50 industry sectors. CryptoSlate is considered as one of the most well known and popular companies in the crypto space.

7. Bitcoinist

Bitcoinist is a digital currency news website that was established in 2013. Bitcoinist has had a very quick growth to become a prime source that provides all kinds of information about Bitcoin. The page shows the most recent posts with the trends happening in the world of digital currency.

Bitcoinist is visited by an average of over 2 million readers every month. It offers a variety of information about different cryptocurrencies. The bitcoinist company has also started a video news portal where they make short videos about cryptocurrency news to make it easier for people who don’t always have the time to read all the new information and trends about this topic around the world.

Every day there are tons of news and it is impossible for someone to be up to date with all the latest information, that is why this idea comes in handy to a lot of people.

8. U.Today

U.Today strives to provide its readers with breaking news, analysis, exclusive interviews, and op-ed articles. Our goal is to become the go-to media outlet of crypto. Our job is fair and accurate reporting that this industry desperately needs. Every day we work with passion and soul, honestly review the market situation, and find out some new things together with our audience.

Why can you trust these websites?

Based on the elaboration of this article, what makes these websites credible are the journalistic standards, the provision of content in a refined, structured and accurate way, while most of them also use editorial politics. There is also a website that you can check all ratings and reviews for cryptocurrency exchanges in case you want to buy or trade cryptos. ExchangeRatings helps you to identify key problems people face with exchanges. You can believe these websites because all data are provided by teams, and most of the public for the audience, as well as because of the website’s public statements that the articles, data and any other material are well checked before publication.

Moreover, in these virtual communities, different opinions are given by different experts of the cybersecurity field, whose opinions contribute to public awareness of these issues.

Image via Shutterstock

Grayscale Pairs with Coindesk Index to Launch DeFi Fund and Index

Grayscale Investments LLC announced Monday to launch its 15th investment product, a DeFi fund and index, which focuses on decentralised finance (DeFi) tokens.

Michael Sonnenshein, the CEO of Grayscale crypto asset management firm, talked about the development and said that the company had begun a fund that targets DeFi tokens like Aave and Uniswap for its institutional investors.

The new index is designed to help investors tracking DeFi tokens and investing in them. As of July 1, a DeFi -particular index, created by CoinDesk’s TradeBlock, started tracking the new fund whose 10 DeFi blue chips include Bancor (BNT), UMA Protocol (UMA), Yearn Finance (YFI), Synthetix (SNX), SushiSwap (SUSHI), MakerDAO (MKR), Curve (CRV), Compound (COMP), Aave (AAVE), and Uniswap (UNI).

Sonnenshein said that the firm had seen interest in a wide base of its existing investors and the increasing interest in popular cryptocurrencies in the decentralised finance ecosystem. The CEO, therefore, mentioned that the rising user adoption in DeFi protocols triggered Grayscale to launch an institutional-grade index and a DeFi fund:

“The emergence of decentralised finance protocols provides clear examples of technologies that can redefine the future of the financial services industry. We’re proud to offer investors exposure to DeFi through Grayscale’s trusted, secure, and industry-leading investment product structures,”

In a statement, the Fund is now open for daily subscription by the eligible individual and institutional accredited investors.

Grayscale’s plans for Bitcoin ETF

As mentioned above, the new DeFi fund is Grayscale’s 15th investment product, which is the second diversified fund launched after another diversified fund called the Digital Large Cap Fund.

Last week, Grayscale approved its Digital Large Cap Fund to become an SEC-reporting company. Already two of the firm’s other cryptocurrency investing products, namely the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust and the Grayscale Ethereum Trust, are SEC reporting companies.

The development about becoming an SEC reporting outfit is vital as Grayscale said that the aim is to provide the investors with a higher level of disclosure and reporting besides the already stringent obligations to which its products adhere.

Grayscale also recently said that its crypto products are designed with the focus of eventually becoming Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). The firm stated that becoming an SEC reporting is the final step for their products before transforming into an ETF.

Binance CEO Refutes SEC's $12 Billion Fund Misappropriation Claims

Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao has categorically denied the allegations recently published by CoinDesk stating that $12 billion were redirected to firms under his control. The original report was based on claims made by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

In a tweet issued a few minutes ago, Zhao called the report “simply false,” expressing uncertainty about whether the misinformation originated from the journalist or the source itself. He assured Binance’s users that all funds were accounted for, and that no money ever left the platform, unless users themselves initiated withdrawals.

According to Zhao, Binance’s U.S. platform had roughly $2 billion in user funds, an amount that fluctuates slightly as cryptocurrency prices change. He also acknowledged a recent decrease in these funds due to users withdrawing their assets, which could be a direct response to the troubling news.

While the Binance CEO did not provide any proof to back his statement, his strong rebuttal underscores the growing tensions between regulators and cryptocurrency exchanges. These allegations have come amidst increased scrutiny of cryptocurrency exchanges and related entities by the SEC.

Tether Emphasizes Commitment to Transparency, Releases Reserves Information in Response to CoinDesk's FOIL Request

Tether has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and announced its completion of reporting obligations to the New York Attorney General’s Office. Under the terms of its 2021 settlement, Tether fulfilled its quarterly reporting requirements for a period of two years. There have been no indications of incomplete disclosures or inadequate reserves during this time, cementing Tether’s position as a reliable stablecoin. Furthermore, Tether proudly boasts its largest market cap in history, highlighting its strengthened position within the market.

Following the settlement last year, CoinDesk sought public disclosure of Tether’s quarterly reports through New York’s Freedom of Information Law. Today, the New York Attorney General’s Office provided responsive documents to CoinDesk as Tether decided to withdraw its opposition to the request. Tether initially contested the release of confidential customer data and sensitive commercial information, citing concerns over potential exploitation by malicious actors. However, Tether’s unwavering dedication to transparency led to the prioritization of openness over prolonged legal battles that could divert attention from critical community matters.

Among the disclosed documents are statements from Tether’s banks, confirming the existence of the company’s reserves. These statements align with the publicly disclosed, independent third-party assurance attestations, further substantiating Tether’s commitment to transparency. The provided materials also shed light on Tether’s implementation of best-in-class asset management strategies, including short-term investments and diversification, as evidenced by the various bank statements. Tether aims to dispel the unfounded fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) surrounding the backing of its stablecoin through these documents. Additionally, it is important to note that the materials are outdated and do not accurately reflect the present state of Tether’s reserves, considering the transformative changes within its ecosystem. Tether has significantly reduced its commercial paper holdings to zero in mid-2022 and intends to bring its secured loans portfolio down to zero in the near future.

The timing of today’s attack on USD₮, affecting both decentralized finance (DeFi) and centralized exchanges, coincides with the handover of materials to CoinDesk, raising questions about potential motives. Nonetheless, Tether emphasizes its transparency and expresses utmost confidence in the accuracy of its financial figures. While the sensitivity surrounding the release of confidential data to government agencies has diminished since 2021, Tether remains vigilant regarding customer data. Despite potential biases in CoinDesk’s coverage, Tether calls upon them to refrain from publicly disclosing any past or present customer names to avoid exposing individuals within the community to physical or digital risks.

While CoinDesk is still likely reviewing the provided information, Tether closely monitors the USD₮ markets for signs of manipulation that could induce panic if and when CoinDesk decides to publish its findings. Despite the associated risks, Tether firmly stands in favor of transparency. The published information, if interpreted correctly, serves as public proof of Tether’s legitimate business operations and the existence of its reserves.

Tether proudly asserts its position as the leading stablecoin, making positive contributions to the community. The company takes pride in the deep liquidity of its reserves, as demonstrated through its strength and stability during numerous industry-wide challenges. Tether remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding customers, personnel, and the wider community against any malicious attacks.

CoinDesk Under Fire for Retracting Articles on Justin Sun and Chainalysis

Leading cryptocurrency news source CoinDesk has lately come under criticism for removing stories that criticised specific players in the industry. The retractions have called into doubt the platform’s commitment to balanced reporting and editorial integrity.

L0la L33tz, a Twitter user, disclosed that CoinDesk had withdrawn an opinion piece she had published regarding Chainalysis on August 28, 2023. The centrepiece of the report was a witness statement made by Chainalysis‘ head of investigations, Elizabeth Bisbee, “in which she admitted to having no scientific evidence of the software’s accuracy.” Along with failing to notify L0la L33tz of the retraction, CoinDesk allegedly failed to disclose that its parent firm, DCG, had a “substantial investment in Chainalysis Inc.” “Today I discovered that @CoinDesk removed my opinion piece on @chainalysis… CoinDesk did not notify me of the retraction or reveal the sizeable interest its parent firm, DCG, has in Chainalysis Inc.

On August 27, 2023, a different Twitter user named Cryptadamist brought attention to the fact that CoinDesk has also since removed a Justin Sun-critical piece because it did not adhere to their “standards.” Coindesk recently withdrew an article that was critical of Justin Sun because it didn’t adhere to their “standards,” contrary to what they claim they almost never do.

These occurrences have sparked a discussion regarding the function of the media in the bitcoin sector. The retractions, according to critics, undermine CoinDesk’s reputation and imply a lack of openness. Speculation regarding the impact of outside influences, such as investments or partnerships, on CoinDesk’s editorial choices is further fueled by the company’s failure to provide a public retraction statement or explanation.

The incident highlights the more general problem of journalistic ethics in the high-stakes, quick-paced world of cryptocurrency reporting. The need for objective, truthful reporting is more urgent as the sector expands. For investors, regulators, and the general public, media sources are a crucial source of information. Any apparent bias or lack of transparency may have significant effects, not just on the media outlet’s reputation but also on the amount of public confidence in bitcoin journalism as a whole.

Due to CoinDesk’s recent activities, some have begun to wonder whether the platform can be relied upon to “act in favour of the people, putting factual reporting over shareholder incentives,” as L0la L33tz noted. The retractions highlight the need of preserving editorial independence and openness for other media entities covering the cryptocurrency field.

As of right now, CoinDesk hasn’t made any public remarks addressing the retractions or the bias claims. The instances serve as a reminder that media outlet integrity continues to be a subject of continuing worry and scrutiny in the quickly changing crypto scene.