Justice Department investigates cryptocurrency and price manipulation; PeerStreet passes $1 billion mark in real estate loans; UCLA Magnify looks for tech and life science startups.

Justice Department Launches Cryptocurrency Probe

The U.S. Justice Department is investigating whether price manipulation of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin has occurred, according to a Bloomberg report. The department is working with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, an agency that helps regulate derivatives linked to Bitcoin. The investigation focuses on illegal practices that can influence prices.

Peer Street Passes $1 Billion Loan Mark

Peer Street Inc. of Manhattan Beach said it has funded more than $1 billion in real estate loans, according to SoCal Tech. The company, which does business as PeerStreet, just received $29.5 million in funding in April.

UCLA Accelerator Open to L.A. Companies

UCLA’s Magnify accelerator – a part of the school’s California NanoSystems Institute – is accepting startups from the greater L.A. community, SoCal Tech reports. The accelerator is looking for companies in the life science, medtech, IT, and advanced materials spaces.