a couple of laughzillas on a blue diamond background

Why is Japanese e-commerce firm Rakuten going global with a new $100m fund?

Jun30
by on June 30, 2014 at 7:00 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Asia, Japan, rakuten

money cash
Rakuten Ventures, the VC fund belonging to Japan’s top e-commerce company, is going global after it announced a new $100 million fund. The fund is Rakuten Ventures’ second, it is the follow-up to an initial $10 million fund focused solely on Asia. This time around, Rakuten Ventures is expanding its scope to the US and Israel as it seeks to identify companies and technologies that provide benefits and synergies to the mothership. The fund is again led by Singapore-based “one-man team” Saemin Ahn, who tells TNW that he plans to bring on hires to help cover the new geographies. Ahn is prioritizing new hires to cover…

This story continues at The Next Web

└ Tags: ,
a couple of laughzillas on a blue diamond background

California legalizes the use of Bitcoin and other digital currencies

Jun30
by on June 30, 2014 at 6:09 am
Posted In: Around the Web, bitcoin, California

There’s more good news for Bitcoin after California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law a bill known as AB 129 under ‘Lawful Money’ that basically legalizes the use of Bitcoin and other digital currencies in the state. The bill makes changes to current law to “ensure that various forms of alternative currency such as digital currency, points, coupons or other objects of monetary value do not violate the law when those methods are used for the purchase of goods and services or the transmission of payments.” However, as Coindesk notes, the bill does not introduce regulations for Bitcoin, which may fall…

This story continues at The Next Web

└ Tags: , ,
a couple of laughzillas on a blue diamond background

LG joins Google’s automotive alliance to help speed up the introduction of Android into cars

Jun30
by on June 30, 2014 at 3:14 am
Posted In: Around the Web, car, Google, Insider, lg

As Google is stepping up its efforts to bring Android into cars, recently unveiling Android Auto at its Google I/O conference, LG is the latest to join the company’s Open Automotive Alliance. The OAA was announced earlier this year as a team effort between Google and automotive behemoths Audi, GM, Honda, Hyundai and Nvidia to “accelerate” innovation in the car industry. LG showcased its audio, visual and navigation system for connected cars at Google I/O, and has revealed today that it is expected to be available next year. The system lets drivers connect their Android device (in this case, presumably…

This story continues at The Next Web

└ Tags: , ,