Intelligent CIO Europe Issue 06 | Page 8

NEWS VPE Bank first German bank to launch cryptocurrency trading Orange and Siemens partner to deliver IoT for industrial performance V PE WertpapierhandelsBank AG (VPE) has launched regulated cryptocurrency trading services for institutional investors. VPE offers best-in-class technology and possesses a licence from German financial regulator BaFin (Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht) to offer its customers secure and regulated cryptocurrency trading services. “Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum and others have become a promising asset class in recent years. To date, trading digital tokens has been restricted to crypto exchanges and online market places. We are pleased to be the first German bank to offer our customers cryptocurrency trading services,” said Katharina Strenski, Public Relations Manager at VPE. As a securities trading bank, VPE has an impressive trading track record and has access to the appropriate networks and technical requirements for processing individual transactions. VPE also meets all necessary KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money-Laundering) requirements. The product, which offers automated cryptocurrency trading, has been developed in partnership with solarisBank, the first banking platform with a full banking licence and with support from leading banking and legal crypto experts. VPE’s virtual currency trading account is held in escrow by solarisBank. Customers will also receive access to an individual virtual currency wallet hosted by VPE. This will make trading fast and simple while ensuring the highest security standards. “Until now, institutional investors have faced high entry barriers to crypto trading. Our cryptocurrency trading services offer a much more convenient alternative,” Strenski added. 8 INTELLIGENTCIO O range Business Services and Siemens, the leading factory automation equipment provider, have joined forces to drive the adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) in the industrial sector by simplifying integration and promoting IoT innovation. The initial focus will be to develop solutions around asset tracking and asset monitoring to optimise the supply chain and improve efficiencies, as well as to develop digitally-enhanced products to increase customer satisfaction and create new business models. The partnership will help businesses connect their machines and physical infrastructure to the digital world, allowing them to translate the wealth of data they produce into business results. Advanced analytics and digital services will help them increase productivity and efficiency across their business. Orange Business Services brings its global cellular connectivity, consulting, system integration and application development skills to the partnership. The alliance is built around Siemens’ MindSphere, the cloud-based open IoT operating system, and Datavenue, the Orange IoT and data analytics modular offering. The seamless integration of data along industrial value chains Orange Business Services will connect systems and objects via MindSphere. Customers have the option of pre- packaged offerings such as asset tracking, or customised solutions and applications. Orange Business Services will initially provide connectivity components from Datavenue, including cellular and Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) networks. “We are delighted to partner with Siemens in the MindSphere Ecosystem in the industrial sector. By combining our strengths, we are providing industrial enterprises with new opportunities to exploit their data and unleash the power of IoT to drive significant competitive advantage,” said Olivier Ondet, Senior Vice President, IoT and Analytics, Orange Business Services. The partnership will initially focus on Europe, starting with solutions to be rolled out in Germany and Austria. www.intelligentcio.com