Joseph Lubin, co-founder of Ethereum. A start-up called Civil Media has an ambitious plan to save journalism using blockchain technology and cryptoeconomics. After assembling 13 start-up newsrooms to kick things off, Civil announced last week it will launch its cryptocurrency on Aug. 13, followed by its blockchain-based publishing protocol about a week later. The company used a lot of buzzwords in its announcement, like calling itself a "protocol" for journalism and saying it valued...

Sergey Brin, president of Alphabet and co-founder of Google Speaking from a blockchain conference in Morocco over the weekend, Google co-founder Sergey Brin said the internet giant missed its chance to be at the forefront of blockchain technology. Brin, who currently serves as president of Google parent company Alphabet, joined blockchain technology leaders and researchers on a panel at Richard Branson's exclusive Blockchain Summit. "We probably already failed to be on the bleeding edge, I'll...

Denver Post reporter Joe Rubino stands outside the Lipstick Building where Alden Global Capital keeps its offices. Prominent Denver Post journalists, who recently left the embattled newspaper amid a battle with its hedge fund owners, are forming a start-up that's embracing one of the hottest trends in technology: blockchain. The Colorado Sun is launching as a reporter-owned, ad-free publication in partnership with Civil, a New York-based media company that's applying cryptoeconomics to...

Fintech giant PayPal confirmed on Thursday it's reached a deal to buy payments start-up iZettle for $2.2 billion — the biggest acquisition in its history. U.S.-based PayPal already operates in more than 200 countries around the world but is working to expand its offerings. IZettle provides mobile card readers and other digital payment products to small businesses. A merger would catapult PayPal into hundreds of thousands of brick-and-mortar storefronts globally in an effort to bring its...

First Malibu mansions, next ultra luxurious yachts. The ways in which cryptocurrency enthusiasts can spend their virtual riches is growing, if only for those who are millionaires — at least on paper. As bitcoin and other digital currencies gain a broader following, luxury service providers are starting to take notice. The latest is Florida-based yacht dealer Denison Yachting, which on Friday announced that new, high-end yachts can be purchased with bitcoin and a few other cryptocurrencies at...