Forkast.News is now Forkast Labs
anti-money laundering, crypto coins

How DeFi can keep out bad apples while upholding crypto’s core ideals

Crypto users need not fear the increasing KYC/AML requirements around the world and loss of privacy, writes Kurt Hemecker of the Mina Foundation. Here’s why.
bitcoin crypto currency diagram | Bitcoin, Ether gains; Litecoin continues bull run; optimism solution to US debt crisis will be reached

Bitcoin, Ether gains; Litecoin continues bull run; optimism a solution to US debt crisis can be reached

Bitcoin prices rose along with Ether, while Litecoin continues to lead gainers among other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies.
Cryptocurrency golden bitcoin

Bitcoin, Ether push higher, Litecoin biggest gainer in top 10 cryptos; U.S. stock futures, Asian equities gain

Bitcoin rose 2.07% to US$27,409 in 24 hours while Ether gained 1.27% to US$1,829. Litecoin was the biggest gainer of the day, rising 7.65%.
and
DOJ Logo

Head of U.S. DOJ crypto enforcement eyes crackdown on non-compliant crypto exchanges: FT

The U.S. Department of Justice is aiming to crack down on cryptocurrency exchanges that help criminals facilitate money laundering
blockchain and NFT abstract concept

Tokenization is changing the world, from finance to art

Fractionalizing assets on the blockchain opens up investment opportunities for the public and the capital market’s access to liquidity, writes Bob Ras. Here’s what’s holding it back.
E-CNY icon and office supplies | China’s Jiangsu Province to expand digital yuan adoption in education sector | China, CBDC - Central Bank Digital Currencies, Digital Yuan

China’s Jiangsu Province to expand digital yuan adoption in education sector

China’s Jiangsu Province plans to expand the use of digital yuan to its public education system, as the province seeks to spearhead the country’s CBDC pilot.
bitcoin korean won | Bank of Korea and financial regulator in turf war over who supervises crypto industry

Bank of Korea and financial regulator in turf war over who supervises crypto industry

Bank of Korea, the central bank, seems uncomfortable with the Financial Services Commission, the country’s regulator, having the mandate over the cryptocurrency industry. The bank is pushing for more say, arguing crypto can influence the stability of the overall financial market and that involves the central bank.
China flag and yuan icon | China’s Fuzhou City offers cash benefits to attract blockchain companies, investment | China, DLT - Distributed Ledger Technology, Regulation & Law

China’s Fuzhou City offers cash, subsidies to attract blockchain companies, investment

China’s Fuzhou City on Friday unveiled a raft of policies to attract investment by blockchain-related companies, including rent subsidies and cash awards.
The national flag of Canada. Image: Envato Elements

Binance exits Canada amid increased regulation in North America

Regulatory hurdles have once again hit Binance in North America, with the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange announcing on Friday that it would cease operations in Canada due to tightened crypto rules.
Bitcoin, ether

Bitcoin, Ether edge higher; Litecoin leads gainers; investors weigh impact of US debt crisis

Bitcoin prices rose on Monday morning in Asia to above US$27,000. Ether managed to rise above the US$1,800 support level as Litecoin leads gainers.
Sebastien Guillemot, Web3 developer in Japan

Looking to expand Web3 activities into Japan? Watch the biggest firms for clues, says gaming protocol founder.

While the community might be small, there’s a growing buzz around Web3 in Japan, with overseas companies now taking note. For clues on how to make it big in the land of the rising sun, follow the lead of the nation’s largest firms, says Sebastien Guillemot, co-founder of Paima Studios.
ElonMusk

Elon Musk’s NFT rocket launch. What has he done to Milady?

NFTs were ready for takeoff this week and Elon Musk’s tweet blasted it off.
Coins with bitcoin symbol on red light and crypto stocks chart background. Concept of a cryptocurrency market crisis.

Weekly Market Wrap: Bitcoin dips to US$26,166 as memecoins flood the blockchain

Bitcoin briefly fell to US$26,166 this week, as BRC-20 memecoins flooded the blockchain, raising network congestion issues. Market analysts told Forkast that a weekly close under US$26,111 signals more bearish momentum
Bitcoin tokens above dollar banknotes

Bitcoin, Ether fall along with most top 10 cryptos; U.S. futures rise ahead of debt ceiling negotiations

Bitcoin and Ether fell during Friday afternoon trading in Asia, along with most of the top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, apart from the XRP token.
and
Binance.US founder Changpeng Zhao. Image: Binance/Twitter

Binance.US may reduce founder Changpeng Zhao’s ownership stake: The Information

Binance.US is reportedly exploring ways to cut founder Changpeng Zhao’s ownership stake in the company, The Information reported on Thursday, citing two sources familiar with the matter.
Tokyo Big Sight venue, Japan

Japan government’s crypto czar touts nation’s Web3 capabilities

Japan was an early believer in blockchain and cryptocurrencies until exchange hacks brought a crackdown. But that was then. Now the government has become a crypto cheerleader.
Bitcoin on chart | Bitcoin, Ether fall to month lows; Polygon leads losers; U.S. equity futures up as inflation cools | Markets, BTC - Bitcoin, ETH - Ethereum, Matic - Polygon, Inflation

Bitcoin, Ether fall to month lows; Polygon leads losers; U.S. equity futures up as inflation cools

Bitcoin prices slid under US$27,000 on Friday morning in Asia. Ether fell below support at US$1,800 as all top 10 non-stablecoin tokens retreated.
Terraform’s Do Kwon pleads not guilty to passport forgery; lawyers propose US$437,000 bail

Terraform’s Do Kwon pleads not guilty to passport forgery; lawyers propose US$437,000 bail

Terraform Labs chief Do Kwon denied charges of attempting to travel with fake travel documents during a court hearing Thursday in Montenegro.
Animoca Brands co-founder and chairman Yat Siu | Animoca Brands slashes Web3 fund target to US$1B: Bloomberg | ftx, animoca brands, star atlas

Animoca Brands says it holds US$3.4 bln in assets

Animoca Brands revealed US$2.7 billion in off-balance sheet token reserves in its latest unaudited financial update.
BRC-20 makes Bitcoin network a victim of its own success

Bitcoin network buckles under weight of BRC-20’s runaway success

Top blockchain and crypto news: Memecoin fever strains BTC network. Binance slams brakes on Bitcoin withdrawals. Chinese court allows crypto for repaying debt.
A screenshot of Bitcoin Punks, on the Ordinals.Market NFT marketplace

Bitcoin congestion issues continue amid BRC-20 memecoin, Ordinals surge

Bitcoin network faces heightened congestion with over 5 million inscriptions, exacerbating block space demand as BRC-20 tokens achieve a market cap milestone of $1 billion, contributing to increased activity on the network.
Gold bitcoin coin falling to water. Bitcoin and water splash.

Bitcoin, Ether fall along with most cryptos; U.S. futures strengthen as inflation in April slowed

Bitcoin and Ether fell during Thursday afternoon trading in Asia, along with most of the top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, with Polygon’s Matic leading losses for a second consecutive session.
Japan Nextech week conference hall

Japan looks to regain its place in the cryptocurrency world pecking order

The three-day NexTech Week trade show kicked off Wednesday in Tokyo, celebrating all things technology, including blockchain and Artificial Intelligence.
China emblem on circuit | China’s national blockchain research center aims to train 500,000 blockchain professionals | China, DLT - Distributed Ledger Technology, Government

China’s national blockchain research center aims to train 500,000 blockchain professionals

China’s national blockchain research center was launched in Beijing on Wednesday and plans to train over 500,000 blockchain professionals for the country.
Tether stablecoin

Tether more than doubles net profit in Q1, says holds most assets in U.S. Treasury bills

The issuer of the world’s most traded stablecoin raked in US$1.48 billion in net profit for the first quarter of this year, more than double the previous quarter, according to the company’s reserves report on Wednesday.
South Korea sets May 26 trial date for Terraform Labs co-founder Daniel Shin, others | do kwon, terraform labs, terra luna, south korea, crypto

South Korea sets May 26 trial date for Terraform Labs co-founder Daniel Shin, others

Terraform Labs co-founder Shin Hyun-seung and seven others will face trial on May 26 on charges of fraud related to the Terra-Luna crypto collapse.
Bitcoin on blue chart | Bitcoin drops on liquidity concerns, Ether dips; Polkadot leads winners; U.S. equity futures gain | Markets, BTC - Bitcoin, ETH - Ethereum, DOT - Polkadot, Inflation

Bitcoin drops on liquidity concerns, Ether dips; Polkadot leads winners; U.S. equity futures gain

Bitcoin fell on Thursday morning in Asia to trade around the US$27,500 mark. Ether led the losers in the top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies.
AI and ChatGPT

How ChatGPT is propelling memecoins to a new stratosphere

Thanks to generative AI, a struggling artist with no coding skills created tokens now worth $70 million. What does this mean for the rest of the crypto world?
Pile of Bitcoin Cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin busts through US$28,000 as U.S. inflation falls to 4.9%

Bitcoin and major cryptocurrencies reacted positively to the latest CPI report that stated annual inflation in the U.S. rose 4.9% in April, beating market expectations.
EY carbon credit blockchain 1

Ernst & Young launches blockchain to track carbon credits and emissions

EY OpsChain ESG enables companies to better understand their carbon footprint by tracking carbon credits through tokenization.
bitcoin crypto currency diagram

Bitcoin, Ether prices fall; Asian equities, U.S. stock futures drop ahead of key inflation data

Bitcoin lost 0.43% while Ether dipped 0.60% in 24 hours. Polygon’s Matic token was the biggest loser and dropped 2.16%.
and
Hong Kong Victoria Harbour | China’s digital yuan initiative gets cold reception from Hong Kong visitors | China, Hong Kong, Digital Yuan, CBDC - Central Bank Digital Currencies

Hong Kong will have ‘tight’ crypto regulation, says HKMA chief Eddie Yue

Cryptocurrency firms moving to Hong Kong should expect tight regulations as part of the city-state’s new regulatory regime, said Eddie Yue.
Do Kwon and frozen background | South Korea freezes US$176 mln of Terraform CEO Do Kwon’s domestic assets

South Korea freezes US$176 mln of Terraform CEO Do Kwon’s domestic assets

A South Korean court has approved prosecutors’ request to freeze assets and properties worth 233.3 billion Korean won that belong to Kwon.
OSL logo and Hong Kong skyline | Hong Kong's OSL Asset Management obtains license to invest in blockchain and AI | sfc hong kong crypto license regime

Hong Kong’s OSL Asset Management wins license to offer blockchain, AI, Web3 investment products

Hong Kong-based OSL Asset Management Ltd said it won a local license to offer investment products in blockchain, Web3 and AI companies.
graphic depicting digital money | Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, Moody’s, others to join new financial industry blockchain | canton network

Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, Moody’s, others to join new financial industry blockchain

Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, Deloitte, Moody’s and other institutions are partnering with Digital Asset for the launch of the Canton blockchain.
Litecoin saw 576,708 transactions on May 9, the largest daily volume the blockchain has processed, while Bitcoin processed 598,105 transactions on the same day. Image: Glassnode

Litecoin transactions jump amid Bitcoin blockchain congestion, higher fees

Daily transactions on the Litecoin blockchain hit all-time highs over the past two days amid the Bitcoin network’s congestion and higher transaction fees, Glassnode data showed.
gaming set up

How blockchain gaming can break out of its niche and win over more people

It’s currently fashionable to publicly knock blockchain gaming, but behind closed doors, a growing number of developers are realizing its potential, writes Tim Dierckxsens of Venly.
Bitcoin on blue background | Bitcoin, Ether edge up; Litecoin leads winners, Matic the losers; U.S. equity futures flat | Markets, BTC - Bitcoin, ETH - Ethereum, LTC - Litecoin, Memecoin

Bitcoin, Ether edge up; Litecoin leads winners, Matic the losers; U.S. equity futures flat

Bitcoin edged higher on Wednesday morning in Asia to hold above the US$27,500 mark. Ether also gained. Other top 10 non-stablecoin tokens traded mixed.
Gamers stand to win NFTs

Gamers stand to win big with NFTs, they just don’t know it yet

NFTs are changing in-game item ownership and value, yet the gaming industry remains skeptical. With microtransactions set to exceed $76 billion this year, it’s time for gamers to understand the benefits of NFT technology.
Coins with bitcoin symbol on red light and crypto stocks chart background. Concept of a cryptocurrency market crisis.

Bitcoin, Ether fall; Polygon, Solana lead losers; Asian equities, U.S. stock futures drop

Bitcoin dropped 1.25% and Ether fell 0.25% in Tuesday afternoon trade in Asia. All other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies also dropped.
and
El Salvador flag

Bitcoin transaction fees surge, El Salvador users suffer consequences

Skyrocketing activity has led to a surge in average Bitcoin transaction fees — which rose to US$31.15 as of March 8 — exerting increasing pressure on users in low- and middle- income economies including Bitcoin-reliant communities in El Salvador, the first country to implement mass adoption of the digital currency.
Bitcoins | Bitcoin falls below US$28,000, Ether declines, Litecoin slips further, US equity futures stall | Markets, BTC - Bitcoin, ETH - Ethereum, Federal Reserve, Memecoin

Bitcoin falls below US$28,000, Ether declines, Litecoin slips further, US equity futures stall

Bitcoin fell below US$28,000 on Tuesday morning in Asia as memecoin hype clogged the network and drove up transaction fees. Ether and all other top 10 non-stablecoin tokens dropped.
Bittrex logo and U.S. flag | Bittrex crypto exchange shutters US operations due to regulatory uncertainty | bittrex, binance, kraken, paxos, sec, cftc, crypto regulation

Bittrex’s U.S. crypto exchange unit files for bankruptcy following closure, SEC lawsuit

U.S. crypto exchange Bittrex Inc. has filed for bankruptcy just days after closing operations following an SEC lawsuit and citing unclear crypto laws.
Web3 and DAO collaboration concept

Why DAOs and collective collaboration are key for Web3 to realize its potential

Free of the hierarchies and power dynamics in traditional companies, DAOs can allow Web3 organizations to do better, writes Arjun Kalsy of Mantle.
Titanic ship

Hong Kong NFT firm Artifact Labs raises US$3.25 mln in seed round

The startup, originally incubated by the South China Morning Post, has closed a financing round led by Blue Pool Capital and Animoca Ventures.
Bitcoins coins background.

Bitcoin, Ether drop; Polkadot, XRP biggest losers; Asian equities gain 

Bitcoin, Ether fell in Monday afternoon trade in Asia, along with all other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. Polkadot and XRP led the losers in that list.
and
Nirmala Sitharaman

India not against blockchain tech, but cryptocurrency should be monitored, says FM

India is not against the blockchain technology, but currencies have to be monitored by either the government or the central bank, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Saturday. 
China judge hammer | Cryptocurrencies can be used for debt settlement in China: Supreme Court | China, Law & Regulation, Cryptocurrency Assets

Cryptocurrencies can be used for debt settlement in China: Supreme Court

Cryptocurrencies in China can be legally used to settle basic relations debts such as exchange and labor, according to the Supreme People’s Court of China.
party concerts in metaverse

The metaverse is here. When will the party begin?

The metaverse is still a clunky world that makes users feel like they’re in a cartoon, writes Darin Myman of DatChat. How can we make it more inviting and useful?
Dan Sung-han, the director of Seoul Southern District’s joint financial crimes team (left), Terraform Labs CEO Do Kwon (right) | terra luna, south korea, terraform labs

Prosecutor says Terra-Luna fugitive Do Kwon should face trial in South Korea: WSJ

The prosecutor leading Korea’s investigation into the Terra-Luna project said its founder Do Kwon should be extradited to Seoul to face trial.
Binance saw a total outflow of around 188,281 Bitcoin on Sunday alone, CryptoQuant data showed. Image: CryptoQuant

Binance resumes Bitcoin withdrawals after halting transactions twice in 12 hours

Binance resumed withdrawals of Bitcoin around Monday noon in Hong Kong after temporarily halting the service twice within 12 hours due to what the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange said was a “large volume of pending transactions.”
Bitcoin, ether

Bitcoin, Ether fall; XRP leads losers as top 10 tokens lose steam; US equity futures flat

Bitcoin fell in Monday morning trading in Asia after failing to breach the US$30,000 ceiling over the weekend. Ether dropped below the US$1,900 mark.
Standard Chartered Bank

Largest banks should fill crypto void after lender failures, says Standard Chartered’s Geoff Kendrick

In the final installment of a three-part interview series, Geoff Kendrick, head of crypto research at Standard Chartered Bank, outlines the lender’s approach to crypto and why he thinks exploration of blockchain use cases is just beginning.
and
Central bank of the UK

Central bank digital assets can legitimize risk in the crypto space, says Standard Chartered’s Geoff Kendrick

In the second installment of a three-part interview series, Geoff Kendrick, head of crypto research and EM FX West at Standard Chartered Bank, talks altcoins, stablecoins and the legitimization of crypto risk through central bank digital assets.
and
Euro money banknotes in washing machine - illegal cash 50 and mafia money laundering - tax evasion in Europe inflation and impairment. money laundering concept - euro banknotes in washing mashine.

A tidal wave of wash sales makes up most NFT volume

CryptoSlam introduces new wash trade metrics to help traders and professionals uncover the truth behind NFT sales volumes across major blockchains.
Two images of Pepe memecoin mascots side by side

Pepe, Floki to list on Binance exchange

PEPE and FLOKI, the two top trending memecoins that saw the biggest gains on Friday, will be listed on Binance at 12 a.m. Hong Kong time Saturday
Hands holding golden bitcoin on background with laptop screen with financial chart data, crypto trader checking and controlling financial database on international exchanges

Weekly Market Wrap: Bitcoin rises above US$29,000, Ether recaptures US$1,900

Bitcoin inched above US$29,000 on Friday, as concerns over the health of the banking system have been reignited. Industry experts tell Forkast that banking troubles could fuel Bitcoin values, which face significant resistance above US$29,500.
Bitcoin on blue background | Bitcoin up on bank jitters, price speculation; Ether dips, U.S. equity futures flat | Markets, BTC - Bitcoin, ETH - Ethereum, Binance, Bank

Bitcoin rises, Solana leads losses across top 10 cryptos, U.S. dollar slides amid banking sector concerns

Bitcoin rose while Ether fell in Thursday afternoon trade in Asia, with declines across most of the other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. Solana’s SOL token was the biggest loser of the day.
Various crypto | Bitcoin dips, Ether gains, Dogecoin soars following Twitter icon change | Markets, BTC - Bitcoin, ETH - Ethereum, DOGE - Dogecoin, Elon Musk

Kenya eyes 3% tax on digital asset transfers

Kenya plans to impose a 3% tax on the transfer of digital assets for the coming budget year
Henan Cultural Tourism Investment Group set up a metaverse private equity investment fund in April. Image: State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of Henan

China’s Henan state-owned investment group sets up US$22 mln metaverse fund

Henan Cultural Tourism Investment Group, a state-owned investment enterprise in Central China’s Henan province, has set up a 150 million yuan private equity investment fund to finance metaverse ventures.
black swan and web3

How standardized smart financial contracts could prevent crypto’s next black swan

Many tokenized platforms have grave shortcomings, but if better standards could be adopted, the improved transparency can avert future crises, writes Ralf Kubli of the Casper Assn.
Scales with dollars and Bitcoin on the desk.

Bitcoin rediscovers its mojo as banks stumble, says Standard Chartered’s Geoff Kendrick

Against a backdrop of increasing turmoil in traditional banking, Bitcoin is on a four-month winning run that could, tailwinds permitting, soon turn into a surge.
and
Bitcoin on chart | Bitcoin, Ether dip following Europe’s rate hikes; US equity futures edge up despite banking woes | Markets, BTC - Bitcoin, ETH - Ethereum, Bank, Inflation

Bitcoin, Ether dip following Europe’s rate hikes; US equity futures edge up despite banking woes

Bitcoin dipped below US$29,000 in Friday morning trading in Asia as rate hikes in Europe sent uncertainty to investors. Ether fell below US$1,900.
Binance

Israel confiscates suspicious Binance accounts allegedly linked to Islamic State: Reuters

Binance says it works closely with law enforcement to freeze funds and the news agency’s report left out “critical facts.”
Ethereum logo generic, abstract

Ethereum had over US$635 mln in NFT wash trades in April, CryptoSlam reveals

Nearly 60% of April NFT sales on Ethereum have been flagged as wash trades, with Blur marketplace’s token farming incentivizing the activity, CryptoSlam data shows.
JPMorgan Magic Eden Bitget

What JPMorgan’s First Republic takeover means for the crypto industry

Top blockchain and crypto news: JPMorgan swoops as another bank falls. NFT market rivalry heats up. Bitget seeks Hong Kong exchange license.
Digital Power Optimization's project at a solar developer in the southeastern U.S. Image: DPO

Could Bitcoin mining make renewable energy more profitable?

Andrew Webber of Digital Power Optimization says more renewable energy would get built “if it was more profitable” and that’s where Bitcoin mining can help.
Closeup image of male hands holding golden bitcoin on background with laptop screen with financial chart data, crypto trader checking and controlling financial database on international exchanges

Bitcoin, Ether rise; ADA is day’s biggest gainer; investors await European Central Bank’s interest rate decision 

Bitcoin and Ether rose in Thursday afternoon trade in Asia, along with all other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. Cardano’s ADA token saw the day’s biggest gains.
Macro photo of bitcoin cryptocurrency in the dark | Bitcoin back above $29,000, Ether gains; Matic leads winners on Polygon tools update | polygon matic xrp jerome powell

Bitcoin back above $29,000, Ether gains; Matic leads winners on Polygon tools update

Bitcoin and Ether rose in early Thursday morning trading in Asia, with most other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies mixed.
US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell

Fed hikes rates by a quarter point, Bitcoin drops 0.48%

Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, dropped 0.48% on Thursday, Hong Kong time, after the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee said it would raise interest rates by 25 basis points, as widely expected. The latest rate bump brings the target range to 5%-5.25%, the highest since September 2007. See related story: Bitcoin, Ether, […]
Closeup image of male hands holding golden bitcoin on background with laptop screen with financial chart data, crypto trader checking and controlling financial database on international exchanges

Bitcoin, Ether gain most among top 10 cryptos; U.S. stock futures mixed ahead of Fed’s rate decision 

Bitcoin gained 2.18% in 24 hours while Ether rose 1.67%.
and
A Buddhist monastery high in the Himalayas near Paro in the Kingdom of Bhutan. Image: Envato Elements

Crypto miner Bitdeer expands to Bhutan, partners state-owned investment arm

Singapore-headquartered cryptocurrency miner Bitdeer Technologies is planning to expand its mining operations to Bhutan and raise up to US$500 million for a fund through a new partnership with the Himalayan kingdom’s state-owned investment company Druk Holding and Investments.

Delivered weekly on Thursdays

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.