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Bitcoin | No bounce for Ether after Ark Invest files for first US spot Ether ETF | Markets, BTC, ETH, ETF, Cryptocurrencies

No bounce for Ether after Ark Invest files for its first U.S. spot Ether ETF

Bitcoin traded flat Wednesday morning in Asia below the resistance level of US$26,000. Ether also traded flat, hovering around US$1,600.
Solana hits new ATH

Solana leads gains following Visa partnership news, Bitcoin little changed even as whales snap up asset

Solana led gainers in the top 10 cryptos, after the protocol announced a new partnership with payments giant Visa.
Tokyo City | Mitsubishi bank teams up with Ginco to tackle crypto taxation in Japan | Japan, Bank, Custody, Tax

Japan’s Mizuho bank to join MUFG’s stablecoin platform

Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation and Web3 developer Ginco Inc. have partnered to introduce what they call Japan’s first “crypto asset trust.”
human connection concept in metaverse

How the metaverse can expand the mindscape for human connections

Socializing in a virtual world has been around for 20 years but remains a niche pursuit. Will AI and the new generation of digital natives make it mainstream?
Bitcoin | Bitcoin, Ether flat; U.S. equities drop as rate hike concerns return | Markets, BTC, ETH, SOL, ETF

Bitcoin, Ether flat; US equities drop as rate hike concerns return

Bitcoin was trading flat below US$26,000 Wednesday morning in Asia. Ether edged up but remained below the US$1,650 mark.
SEC charges shake NFT market as pricey assets record losses and global sales hit new lows, marking the onset of a transformative era for digital collectibles.

The End of the Beginning for NFTs

SEC charges shake NFT market as pricey assets record losses and global sales hit new lows, marking the onset of a transformative era for digital collectibles.
Elon Musk pumps life into Dogecoin amid lawsuit, Elon Musk holding up dogecoin in a satirical Lion King spoof. Musk posted the photo to his Twitter on Feb. 4, 2021.

Bitcoin, Ether decline as Dogecoin leads gains ahead of Elon Musk’s biography

Dogecoin led the winners in the top 10, in anticipation of Tesla owner Elon Musk’s upcoming biography, which reportedly details his involvement in the memecoin’s development.
Blockchain innovation in the U.S. could suffer from over-regulation of the crypto industry, former White House cybersecurity director said.

US regulation could stifle blockchain innovation, says former White House cybersecurity director

Blockchain innovation in the U.S. could suffer from over-regulation of the crypto industry, cybersecurity expert Carole house said.
South Korea’s Hana bank partners with BitGo on digital asset services

South Korea’s Hana bank partners with BitGo on digital asset services

KEB Hana Bank, one of South Korea’s largest financial institutions, will offer digital asset custody services from the latter half of 2024.
smart contract concept

Do you really trust the smart contracts in charge of your crypto?

Making sure the smart contracts behind DeFi platforms are thoroughly audited isn’t just a job for code developers — it’s also a must for ordinary investors.
Bitcoin | Bitcoin, Ether down; Binance loses another top executive | Markets, BTC, ETH, Binance, Cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin, Ether down; Binance loses another top executive

Bitcoin edged lower on Tuesday morning in Asia to trade below US$26,000. Ether dipped to near the US$1,600 mark.
g20

India’s G20 presidency has failed to advance global crypto governance, ex-finance secretary says

With nine months under its G20 presidency belt, India’s approach to cryptocurrency governance remains static. Amid regulatory ambiguity, the nation’s crypto industry struggles to cope with stringent tax rules.
Bitcoin coins on stock chart background. Cryptocurrency blockchain money. Copy space | Cryptos down as Grayscale ETF news loses its shine

Bitcoin, Ether remain under key levels; Sol leads gains in top 10 cryptos

Bitcoin and Ether have struggled to gain traction since the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) postponed its decision on seven Bitcoin ETF proposals.
cryptocurrency coins and tokens

Are Bitcoin and STOs birds of a feather? Think again

Bitcoin’s birth marked a radical departure from the strictures of centralized finance. Is the advent of asset tokenization undermining the original crypto’s founding ideals?
Beijing, China forbidden city outer wall and gate. | China court says virtual assets legally protected as properties

China court says virtual assets legally protected as properties

Virtual assets remain legal property protected by law in China, said a Friday report from People’s Court Daily.
Bitcoin | Bitcoin flat below US$26,000 as rate hike woes cool down | Markets, BTC, ETH, Price, U.S.

Bitcoin flat below US$26,000 as rate hike woes cool down

Bitcoin edged up on Monday morning in Asia but remained below US$26,000. Ether also stayed range-bound at around US$1,650.
Real Bedford

Real Bedford — Bitcoin, football and the bear market

In the first installment of Forkast’s ‘Crypto in Sport’ series, we visit the U.K. and the homeground of Real Bedford — the world’s first Bitcoin-funded football team. Can the team’s rock-n-roll rebrand under Bitcoin evangelist Peter McCormack propel the team up the English football pyramid? Or will the crypto winter put a freeze on its progress?
Bitcoin gold token and SEC chair Gary Gensler | SEC delays verdict on BlackRock’s ETF application; Will Bitcoin ETFs see light of day?

SEC delays verdict on BlackRock’s ETF application; Will Bitcoin ETFs see light of day?

After Grayscale’s legal win, the SEC decided to postpone its decision on spot Bitcoin ETF applications. Will these proposals be greenlit? And when?
Close up photo of bitcoin crypto currency in dark

Weekly Market Wrap: Grayscale’s favorable court verdict, ETF hype fail to lift Bitcoin above US$28,000

While Grayscale’s favorable verdict over the SEC could pave the way for the first spot Bitcoin ETF in the U.S., it failed to bring Bitcoin above the US$28,000 support level.
Symbolic coins of bitcoin on banknotes of one hundred dollars. Exchange bitcoin cash for a dollar.

Bitcoin below US$26,000, most other top 10 cryptos extend losses

Bitcoin, Ether and other cryptos dropped on Friday afternoon in Asia. Toncoin and Tron gained.
Africa farming and crypto

How crypto can help Africa reap greater yields — of the agricultural kind

Assisted by blockchain and AI, small farmers can make better use of data for more bountiful harvests. But adapting to new technology isn’t always easy.
Bitcoin golden coins , top view

Bitcoin falls back to US$26,000, Ether nears ‘death cross,’ while investors await US jobs report for August

Bitcoin, Ether and other cryptos were down Friday morning. U.S. equities were flat as investors look towards August’s jobs report later Friday.
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried exits a Manhattan Federal Court

The rise and continuing fall of Sam Bankman-Fried: A step-by-step guide to his case so far

The 9 key pieces of information you need to know ahead of the FTX founder’s first trial on Oct. 2
Grayscale triumphs over SEC: A David vs. Goliath win in the crypto arena

Grayscale triumphs over SEC: A David v. Goliath win in the crypto arena

Top blockchain and crypto news: U.S. court compels SEC to review Grayscale’s ETF application. SEC zooms in on NFTs. Asia’s richest man eyes blockchain, CBDCs
Uniswap | Uniswap securities violation charges dismissed by US court | Uniswap, DeFi, DEX, U.S., Regulation & Law

Uniswap securities violation charges dismissed by US court

A U.S. district court on Wednesday dismissed charges against a group of five firms for alleged securities violations on the Uniswap DeFi platform.
Bitcoin, crypto currency. Golden coins on bills of 100 usd, dollars. Digital exchange, popularity of BTC, symbol of future money, electronics industry, mining concept. High quality photo

All top 10 cryptos fall except Dogecoin, as boost from Grayscale ETF ruling fades

Bitcoin, Ether and most other top 10 cryptos dropped on Thursday after a Wednesday rally on news of Grayscale receiving a favorable ruling against the SEC.
Bitcoin coins on stock chart background. Cryptocurrency blockchain money. Copy space | Cryptos down as Grayscale ETF news loses its shine

Cryptos down as Grayscale ETF news loses shine

Bitcoin, Ether and most other top ten cryptos traced back gains made following news of Grayscale’s legal win against the SEC.
Bitcoin cryptocurrency coins on national flag of India. Crypto law regulation concept

India’s CoinSwitch crypto exchange fires 44 employees as trading volumes drop

CoinSwitch, an Indian cryptocurrency exchange backed by Tiger Global and Sequoia Capital, has laid off 44 employees from its customer support team due to a drop in customer queries with falling trading volumes.
A closeup shot of a yellow bitcoin and american dollars

Crypto market gets boost from favorable court ruling for Grayscale against U.S. SEC

Prices of all cryptocurrencies rose on Wednesday after a U.S. court backed Grayscale on its Bitcoin ETF application, compelling the SEC to review its rejection of the application.
Hong Kong | Hong Kong grants SEBA Bank in-principle approval for crypto trading | Hong Kong, SFC, Regulation & Law, Cryptocurrency Exchange

Hong Kong grants SEBA Bank in-principle approval for crypto trading

The Hong Kong branch of SEBA Bank has received an in-principle approval from regulators to provide virtual asset trading services in the jurisdiction.
biometric; digital scan technology

How Worldcoin is undermining crypto’s original ethos

The new crypto from OpenAI’s founder requires users to supply biometric data. What if those in control can identify you — and follow your every financial move?
horizontal top view close up of bitcoin logo on a golden coin

Green ink across crypto after Grayscale scores SEC win

A U.S. court’s landmark decision to side with Grayscale on its Bitcoin ETF application to the SEC sent crypto prices upward Wednesday morning in Asia.
Dark but necessary time for NFTs

A Dark but necessary time for NFTs is here

From Miami parties with A$AP Ferg to a historic NFT market slump: The highs and lows of the NFT world.
D.C. Court of Appeals greenlights Grayscale’s bid for Bitcoin ETF

Court backs Grayscale, overturns SEC decision blocking Bitcoin ETF

In a landmark ruling, the court overturned the SEC’s previous decision, signaling potential tailwinds for other financial giants.
Bitcoin on stock market data screen

Bitcoin, Ether gain; traders cautious as U.S. regulator goes after NFT firm

Bitcoin, Ether rose less than 1% in the past 24 hours while posting losses on the week. Polkadot led gains among top 10 cryptos.
Gary Gensler | SEC charges NFT project with securities law violations | SEC, NFT, Regulation & Law

SEC charges NFT project with securities law violations

The U.S. SEC charged Impact Theory, a Los Angeles-based media and entertainment company, on Monday with offering unregistered securities in the form of NFTs.
future signage

Welcome to 2030: I own everything, and life’s actually pretty good

Here’s a look at a future where Web3 technology will allow us to have ownership stakes in all things and avoid a subscription-based consumerist hellscape.
Single Bitcoin cryptocurrency on a silver through gold metallic gradient background lying face up in the centre

Bitcoin, Ether trading flat as SEC targets firm offering NFTs

Bitcoin, Ether were little changed. Cardano led gains while Solana posted losses as experts say crypto prices are looking up.
GettyImages 187455386

Asia’s richest man bets on blockchain, CBDC

Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s richest man from India, said on Monday that his Reliance Industries Ltd. is exploring blockchain-based platforms and central bank digital currencies (CBDC).
GettyImages 1500645964

India’s PM advocates global ethical framework for cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence

Amid growing concerns around algorithm biases and their societal impact, India Prime Minister Modi calls for international consensus on ethical AI and crypto governance at the B20 summit. 
Friend.tech logo displaying two white bunny ears on a blue background

Friend.tech daily fees and buyers drop by over 90%

Friend.tech saw its daily revenue, fees and active buyers fall over 90% from its peak.
Bitcoin coin on dollar banknotes. Cryptocurrency on US dollar bills

Bitcoin dips below US$26,000, crypto faces downward pressure amid Fed’s rate hike signals

Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies face headwinds on the first trading day of the week in Asia following the U.S. central bank’s Jackson Hole Symposium remarks, while Tron bucks the trend with modest gains.
abstract NFT

How dynamic NFTs can bring brand engagement to a new level

NFTs are now capable of being interactive and changing with the weather, user location and time of day. What are the downsides and challenges ahead?
Binance & Russia | Binance delists sanctioned Russian lenders from P2P services: WSJ | Binance, Russia, Sanction

Binance delists sanctioned Russian lenders from P2P services: WSJ

Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange, has removed sanctioned Russian banks from its P2P trading service, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. 
Close up photo of bitcoin crypto currency in dark

Crypto market cautious after Fed’s Powell says US inflation still ‘too high’

Bitcoin, Ether and other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies held steady, despite Fed chair Jerome Powell’s hawkish comments on U.S. inflation.
DeFi revenue remains resilient despite Curve Finance hack

DeFi revenue remains resilient despite Curve Finance hack

Even as the value of assets in DeFi dips, service provider revenues stand strong, undeterred by the US$73 million Curve Finance breach, Forkast Labs data shows.
Bitcoin dives to US$28,500; Coinbase buoyed by US futures approval; Fed minutes cast shadow over equities | Concept with bitcoins and falling candle graph.

Weekly Market Wrap: Bitcoin’s summer volatility, Coinbase’s new stake and anticipations on the Fed moves cryptocurrencies

From landmark business decisions to looming central bank announcements, the crypto landscape this week teemed with events that may shape the course of the market.
China crypto friend tech social fi

If Chinese crypto holders sneeze, will global markets catch a cold?

Top blockchain and crypto news: China’s economic woes could spell trouble for crypto. Real fear in NFT markets. Can Friend.tech revive SocialFi?
cardano, bitcoin and frozen backdrop | Markets: Bitcoin, Ether fall; Solana, Cardano show bigger losses | bitcoin price, ether price, solana news, cardano, polkadot, dogecoin

SOL reverses gains, Bitcoin holds US$26,000, top cryptos fall ahead of Powell’s speech

SOL reversed Thursday’s gains from its Shopify partnership while XRP fell to a six-week low. Bitcoin and Ether inched up during afternoon trading but struggled to gain more upward momentum.
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 08: CEO of FTX Sam Bankman-Fried testifies during a hearing before the House Financial Services Committee at Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill December 8, 2021 in Washington, DC. The committee held a hearing on "Digital Assets and the Future of Finance: Understanding the Challenges and Benefits of Financial Innovation in the United States." (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) | Sam Bankman-Fried lawyers granted unlimited prison visits; FTX looks to stake crypto holdings

Sam Bankman-Fried’s lawyers granted unlimited prison visits; FTX tries to sell crypto holdings

Sam Bankman-Fried’s lawyers can visit him in jail on a daily basis, a U.S. district court ruled on Wednesday, while FTX’s new CEO wants to sell its crypto.
Web3 and gaming console

It’s time for Web3 gaming to up its own game

Blockchain games are often touted as the next big thing. Joseph Cooper, CEO of Earn Alliance, takes a hard look at the industry’s challenges and how to overcome them.
Bitcoin | Bitcoin back down to US$26,000 as investors await US Fed chair speech | Markets, BTC, ETH, SOL, NFT

Bitcoin back down to US$26,000 as investors await US Fed chair speech

Bitcoin dropped to around the US$26,000 level Friday morning in Asia, giving up much of the previous day’s gains. Ether also moved lower.
Senior man at laptop paying with credit card for online shopping

Mastercard and Binance end crypto card partnership, services shut down in Latin America, Middle East

Mastercard and cryptocurrency exchange Binance will end their crypto debit card program in Argentina, Brazil, Columbia and Bahrain from Sep. 22.
and
Tornado Alley Severe Storm at Night Time. Severe Lightnings Above Farmlands in Illinois, USA. Severe Weather Photography Collection. | Tornado Cash founder arrested; N.Korean hackers could cash out US$40M in stolen crypto

Tornado Cash founders charged with money laundering crypto, including proceeds from North Korean heists

The Tornado Cash mixer’s co-founders have been charged by the U.S. Department of Justice with money laundering and sanctions violations.
solana, bitcoin logo | Markets: Bitcoin, Ether rises; Solana is biggest gainer among top 10 | solana, polygon, bonk, matic, shiba inu, bitcoin, ethereum

Bitcoin, Ether rise with SOL leading winners in top 10 cryptos

SOL was the biggest gainer in the top 10 following its Shopify deal. Bitcoin and Ether also rose along with most top 10 cryptocurrencies.
Bitcoin | Bitcoin back at US$26,500 as cryptos mirror Wall Street gains | Markets, BTC, ETH, SOL, NFT

Bitcoin back at US$26,500 as crypto mirrors Wall Street gains

Bitcoin rose on Thursday morning in Asia to trade in the US$26,500 range. Ether also moved up. Solana led the winners in the top 10 non-stablecoin tokens.
Temple in Pai, Thailand

Blockchain tech in Thailand gets boost from new pro-crypto leader

Blockchain technology in Thailand could soon receive a boost by new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who had promised during his campaign to give 10,000 baht (US$300) through digital wallets to every Thai citizen aged 16 years and above.
Sellers of Solana NFTs outpace buyers in May, Solana logo over charts

SOL falls to six-week low, BNB biggest gainer despite reports of Binance violating Russian sanctions

Bitcoin recaptured the US$26,000 mark today, while Solana fell to a six-week low. BNB was the biggest gainer in the top 10, despite allegations against Binance resurfacing.
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 08: CEO of FTX Sam Bankman-Fried testifies during a hearing before the House Financial Services Committee at Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill December 8, 2021 in Washington, DC. The committee held a hearing on "Digital Assets and the Future of Finance: Understanding the Challenges and Benefits of Financial Innovation in the United States." (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Sam Bankman-Fried pleads not guilty to misusing customer funds

Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of FTX, pleaded not guilty to a set of new charges tied to last year’s collapse of his crypto empire.
UK PM Rishi Sunak

Could Rishi Sunak’s blockchain dream live on without him?

This final installment of a 3-part series on the U.K. digital asset industry looks at the politics driving the British crypto conversation. PM Rishi Sunak is a believer, but an election’s coming up, and his rivals appear less keen on turning the U.K. into a global crypto hub.
Binance continues to help a significant amount of Russian funds move abroad through crypto transactions, according to The Journal.

Binance denies Russia sanctions violation reported by WSJ

Binance continues to help a significant amount of Russian funds move abroad through crypto transactions, according to The Journal.
Japan Nomura’s crypto custody firm Komainu bags Dubai license

Japan Nomura’s crypto custody firm Komainu bags Dubai license

announced Tuesday that it received an operating license from the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) in Dubai.
Rising tide NFT

Rising tide or sinking ship

OpenSea’s royalty policy change ignites debate between tech advocates and creators. Mark Cuban calls it “a huge mistake as NFT market slides 6%.
DAO governance

How DAOs can avoid voter apathy — and power struggles

Good governance of a DAO can be hampered by a disengaged community and whale dominance. What can be done when 1% of stakeholders holds 90% of voting power?
Bitcoin | Bitcoin below US$26,000 with a new low of US$20,000 in the cards | Markets, BTC, ETH, ETF, NFT

Bitcoin below US$26,000 with a new low of US$20,000 in the cards

Bitcoin fell Wednesday morning in Asia to trade below US$26,000. Ether also dropped as all other top 10 non-stablecoin tokens traded flat to lower.
the logo of coinDCX, Indian crypto exchange CoinDCX crosses 10 million user base

India’s CoinDCX exchange lays off 12% of staff

CoinDCX, one of India’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, said on Wednesday it is laying off 12% of its staff due to the impact of a prolonged bear market and local tax rules. 
Cryptocurrency golden bitcoin image for crypto currency

Bitcoin holds US$26,000, BNB flirts with annual low

Bitcoin holds its ground above US$26,000, but the top 10 cryptocurrencies see a dip. BNB remains subdued as Binance’s payment partner woes intensify.
Law Commissioner Sarah Green

‘Third category thing’ — untangling digital asset property law in England and Wales

How can we claim to own something that falls outside traditional categories of personal property? In this second installment in a 3-part series looking at the U.K. digital asset industry, Law Commissioner for England and Wales Sarah Green explains how.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 23: Brian Armstrong, cofounder and CEO of Coinbase speaks onstage during 'Tales from the Crypto: What the Currency of the Future Means for You' at Vanity Fair's 6th Annual New Establishment Summit at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on October 23, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Vanity Fair)

Coinbase buys equity stake in Circle

Coinbase Global announced Monday that it is acquiring an equity stake in Circle Internet Financial, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin.
photo illustration the FTX logo and mobile app adverts are displayed on screens

Why FTX deserves a second chance

Despite the outrage against Sam Bankman-Fried and the now-bankrupt exchange, everyone would be better off with a relaunched FTX 2.0, writes Rachel Lin, CEO of SynFutures.
Bitcoin | Bitcoin recovers after falling below $26,000, while the ETF excitement bubble may have burst | Markets, BTC, ETH, ETF, NFT

Bitcoin recovers after falling below $26,000 as the ETF excitement bubble bursts

Bitcoin stabilized Tuesday morning in Asia after dropping below the key US$26,000 support level over night. Ether also dipped but held the US$1,600 mark.
Cryptocurrency Bitcoin golden coins spilling on the table. Crypto investment concept background

Bitcoin stabilizes as ETF enthusiasm tapers off

Bitcoin stabilized above the US$26,000 mark following last week’s sell-off. Top cryptos struggle to gain momentum as Bitcoin ETF applications continue to be delayed.

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The Current Forkast

An unmissable weekly round up of the biggest stories in emerging tech from an Asian perspective, featuring commentary from Forkast Editor-in-Chief Angie Lau. Check out recent editions.