MoneyGram and Ripple testing bank transfers of the XRP cryptocurrency. Fortune Staff Writer Jeff John Roberts explains why this partnership is so significant.
"Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum, it (Ripple) is centrally controlled," explains Roberts. "This is Ripple's moment of truth because people are speculating on XRP." With transaction fees so high for Bitcoin, some investors are seeing Ripple as a good alternative.
"Ripple is at the forefront of blockchain technology and we look forward to piloting xRapid," MoneyGram CEO Alex Holmes said Thursday. In the release announcing this partnership, both Ripple and MoneyGram promoted the efficiency and speed of this digital currency.
Instagram Chief Executive Adam Mosseri is set to testify before Congress for the first time. Mosseri’s appearance follows reports that showed Facebook and Instagram are aware of the harms their apps and services cause, including to teen mental health. Nicole Gill, co-founder and executive director of Accountable Tech joins Cheddar News to preview the hearing.
Steve Case, Revolution Ventures CEO, joined Cheddar to discuss progress venture capitalists have made over 2021 and where investors are looking beyond Silicon Valley. Other locations VC firms are exploring include Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Chicago among others. "Historically there's been a brain drain in a lot of these cities, people leaving for opportunity elsewhere. Now, people are staying," he said of the emerging tech hubs. "There tends to be a collaborative effort in the community to really support startups to recognize the future of the community."
According to data from Dealogic, the Nasdaq is on track to beat the NYSE in IPOs this year, raising $191 billion so far, compared with the NYSE's $109 billion. Louis Cordone, senior president of Data Strategy at AST, discusses why 2021 was so successful for IPOs, and what differentiates the two exchanges.
