While many in the banking industry around the world are trying to figure out how to beat Bitcoin, from developing their own private blockchains to supporting restrictive compliance regulations, at least one bank has adopted a “join ‘em” attitude.The Norwegian Skandianbanken, independent of its Swedish counterpart, is rolling out a new feature which allows customers to integrate their Bitcoin wallets, checking the value of their holdings at the same time they check their bank accounts, according to local publication E24.Earlier this year, professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers released the Global Fintech Report.This report, based on a survey of over 1,300 financial services executives, reveals that cryptocurrencies and blockchain have gained enough momentum, despite the continued struggle with regulators, that major banks and other financial firms are not only taking notice but actively seeking ways to enter the ecosystem.In fact, a resounding 77% of respondents indicated that they expect to integrate blockchain technology into their systems or processes by 2020.

Skandianbanken joins the ranks of several other global banks and financial institutions exploring blockchain technology, although it is the first to unveil such a direct integration with cryptocurrencies.New York-based R3 is a distributed ledger technology firm staffed by financial industry heavy-hitters and leading a work group of the world’s largest banks and financial institutions.Additionally, the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance counts JP Morgan and UBS as .Santander Bank, CME Group, and Goldman-Sachs, to name a few institutions, have announced divisions and initiatives centered around blockchain.The inclusion of Bitcoin in its online banking platform has aroused enthusiasm from the Norwegian Bitcoin community.Christoffer Hernaes, the head of Innovation and Development at Skandianbanken, told European news outlet E24, “We recognize that this [Bitcoin] is something people want to put their money in… We think it is a better approach than categorical thinking that this is scary.” At the time of writing, customers of Skandianbanken can connect wallets such as Coinbase into their online banking dashboards, allowing them to see the balance and value of contained within the account.

However, being able to actively trade Bitcoin through the bank is still set for the future, Hernaes said.Strict financial regulations in Norway, specifically to curtail money laundering and the financing of terrorist organizations, require banks know the origin of money involved in a transaction which, due to Bitcoin’s inherent anonymity, can cause problems.bitcoin mining setup poolHernaes made a point of saying that these regulations are not anti-Bitcoin, but in place to fight corruption.bitcoin transaction fee too lowHe did, however, acknowledge that they might not be able to approve all Bitcoin-related transactions, noting that this is just the first step as the bank ‘tests the waters’ of the cryptocurrency space.bitcoin au quebec

Skandianbanken’s announcement is the latest in a series of Bitcoin and blockchain related news coming out of Europe.The European Parliament outlining its predictions for how blockchain will affect society at large.This came shortly on the tails of a , reaffirming the need to support the development of blockchain programs and even proposing a pilot project, seeking to improve its regulatory measures.bitcoin armory torAfter Barclay’s announcement of , set to establish London as a global hub for innovation in the financial sector, and the European Commission’s planned , Europe is positioning itself to be a major player in the global crypto-economic landscape moving into the future.bitcoin als anlageBuy bitcoins online in Norway Seller Payment method Show more… Sell bitcoins online in Norway Buyer Payment method Show more… Buy and Sell Bitcoins in these popular cities in Norway City Trading Amountbitcointalk account price

Prosecutors are demanding three men charged with selling drugs online in Norway repay their profits in 120 BTC and millions in Norway kroner, the first time the country has demanded payment in bitcoin, according to RT newswire.The men allegedly sold drugs using Silk Road and other underground websites to sell drugs, according to prosecutor Richard Beck Pederson.btc-e bitcoin withdrawalThe payments were mostly made with bitcoins.bitcoin fuel pumpInvestigators have “evidence for the sale in bitcoins,” he said, and prosecutors are also demanding 3.1 million Norwegian kroner ($360,000) in payment.trump soho bitcoinThe three were charged on Friday.Pederson said Norwegian police conducted the investigation with investigators from abroad for two years.They linked the case to the Silk Road website, which authorities shut down in 2013 when its founder was arrested in the U.S.

Prosecutors said the three men organized a drug-selling group, in which they sent narcotics by mail to customers.Police arrested the men in June 2015 in the greater Oslo area, seizing narcotics along computers and an illegal indoor marijuana farm.The case marks the first time the Norwegian government demanded payment in bitcoins, but Pederson said: “this is in no way an official Norwegian recognition of the digital currency.” A trial is expected to be scheduled later this year.Bitcoin’s legal status varies widely from country to country, with some nations welcoming it and others banning it.Critics have said bitcoin has made it easier to conduct organized crime dealings.Also read: Norway authorities nab 15 drug dealers in Silk Road ‘2.0’ operation Norway police made their largest drug bust ever last May when they arrested 15 people selling drugs on what they claim is the second version of the notorious Silk Road online marketplace that the U.S.FBI closed in 2013.DNB, Norway’s largest bank, has dismissed Norges Bitcoinforening, a recently-formed, non-profit bitcoin association, over concerns about terrorist financing and money laundering.