Today in Crypto: Fort Worth to Mine Bitcoin; Buenos Aires to Allow Crypto Tax Payments

Ether has said it plans to do better at upping its status in the crypto world, though “the clock’s ticking,” Reuters reported Tuesday (April 26).

Ether was supposedly weeks away from its June “merge,” which could make it faster, cheaper and less power hungry. The merge was purportedly going to see ether mining transition away from its energy-intensive proof of work method and go to proof of stake, the report noted.

However, the merge has been delayed, which has investors miffed. Per the report, the anticipation had supported ether this year, even while other cryptocurrencies faltered.

In other news, Fidelity Investments will allow investors to put a bitcoin account in their 401(k)s, The Wall Street Journal wrote Tuesday.

Employees will not be able to do this right away, though the report said every company using Fidelity for retirement plans will have access.

Through the endorsement, the crypto idea is becoming more mainstream — though this doesn’t mean employers will necessarily embrace it for workers. This all comes as the Labor Department has expressed concerns about including crypto in retirement plans, and as the stock market is facing worries.

Furthermore, CoinDesk reported Tuesday that Fort Worth, the fifth-largest city in Texas, plans to be the first city in the country to mine bitcoin in a new pilot project.

The city has reportedly partnered with the Texas Blockchain Council, which advocates for blockchain tech.

Fort Worth plans to maintain three Bitman 59 mining computers in a climate-controlled environment at the Information Technology Solutions Department Data Center at Fort Worth City Hall. There, they’ll be on a private network so as to cut down on security risks.

Finally, Buenos Aries, the capital city of Argentina, plans to allow tax payments in crypto, according to Mayor Horacio Rodriguez Larreta.

As CoinDesk reported Tuesday, the government there won’t be getting crypto directly from residents. Instead, they will receive Argentine pesos, through conversions that will be carried out by “leading” crypto companies.