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Blur OpenSea

Blur nemesis OpenSea releases OS Pro trading tools, Gemesis NFT

OpenSea has reignited the marketplace battle by introducing its own pro tool. What’s in it for NFT traders?
Solana logo, Solana becomes the hottest blockchain at the moment

Solana introduces ‘state compression’ to lower NFT storage costs

Solana has introduced a solution that aims to reduce on-chain storage costs for non-fungible tokens (NFT).  See related article: Solana NFT sales surge as traders farm for Tensor rewards Fast facts See related article: DeGods begins migration to Ethereum
Physical representation of a Bitcoin in front of a financial graph.

Weekly Market Wrap: Bitcoin stuck at US$28,000 amid signs of slowing economies

Bitcoin bounced around the US$28,000 mark as worries about bank failures were replaced by concerns about a recession in the U.S. Just for good measure, the IMF forecast the global economy will see its slowest growth in two decades.
Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank

ECB’s Lagarde gets pranked, reveals digital euro will have ‘limited’ control

ECB President Christine Lagarde said the digital euro would have “limited control” in a prank call.
Stacked bitcoin cryptocurrencies and 100 dollar bills

Bitcoin trades under US$28,000, Dogecoin biggest loser

Bitcoin rose as Ether fell during Asian trading hours on Friday, with most of the top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies by market capitalization dropping. XRP rose the most, while Dogecoin was the biggest loser.
Do Kwon and person showing empty pocket | Local prosecutors say Terra-Luna’s Do Kwon has no identifiable assets in South Korea | do kwon, daniel shin, terra luna, terraform labs, montenegro

Local prosecutors say Terra-Luna’s Do Kwon has no identifiable assets in South Korea

The arrested crypto fugitive Kwon Do-hyung has “zero ” identifiable assets in his native South Korea, prosecutors said on Friday.
Web3 in enter key

Web3 is not all about ‘ownership’ — it’s so much more

Ownership is only one feature of Web3. The more important and defining characteristic is ‘verifiability,’ writes Jonathan Victor of Protocol Labs.
WASHINGTON - MARCH 23: The Washington Monument can be seen past the U.S. Treasury Department building March 23, 2009 in Washington, DC. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner revealed the Obama Administration's plan today to buy $75 to $100 billion of toxic assest off the books of banks with existing TARP funds so they can quickly and effectively return to normal lending. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) | Bitcoin holds US$28,000 in choppy trading; Ether falls after US Treasury warns against DeFi risk

Bitcoin holds US$28,000 in choppy trading; Ether falls after US Treasury warns against DeFi risk

Bitcoin moved in a narrow range above the support line at US$28,000 in Friday morning trading in Asia, while most other top 10 crypto declined.
US Treasury

US Treasury warns DeFi is being used for illicit transfers

DeFi services threaten U.S. national security and need to comply with anti-money laundering and terrorist financing laws, the U.S. Treasury said on Thursday.
Indian money a business background

India prioritizes offline CBDC transfers, targets 1 mln users in three months: CoinDesk

India is reportedly aiming to have one million users of its CBDC within three months of launch, according to sources familiar with the matter cited by CoinDesk. 
Singapore grants capital markets license to SBI’s digital asset arm

Singapore developing guidelines for banks on crypto clients: Bloomberg

The Monetary Authority of Singapore is reportedly working on guidelines to help local banks vet and provide banking services to cryptocurrency clients
Flags of Hong Kong and mainland China | Crypto platforms need regulation as form of investor protection: HK’s SFC chief | China, Hong Kong, Cryptocurrency Assets, Regulation & Law, SFC - Securities and Future Commission

Chinese state-owned company launches crypto funds in Hong Kong

A major state-owned firm in China is launching two cryptocurrency funds in partnership with investment firm Waterdrip Capital. 
Cryptocurrency golden bitcoin image for crypto currency | Markets: Bitcoin slips back below US$24,000 as inflation worries resurface in U.S., equities slide | crypto news, bitcoin news, crypto price today

Bitcoin, Ether down with top 10 cryptos, most equities fall ahead of U.S. Jobs Report

Bitcoin and Ether fell during afternoon trading hours in Asia on Thursday, along with all other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.
Binance logo displayed on screen and a kangaroo.

ASIC cancels Binance Australia’s derivatives license

The Australian securities regulator has canceled Binance Australia’s derivatives license.
Bitcoin on Swiss franc bank notes | Swiss bank PostFinance bank to offer crypto services | Switzerland, Bank, Digital Assets

Swiss PostFinance bank to offer crypto services to 2.5 mln customers

PostFinance, a Swiss government-owned retail bank, has partnered with Sygnum Bank to provide crypto-related services.
Facebook Parent Company Meta Reports Strong Quarterly Earnings | Meta says new focus on generative AI could boost metaverse development: Nikkei

Meta says new focus on generative AI could boost metaverse development: Nikkei

Meta is investing heavily in artificial intelligence and this will benefit its metaverse businesses, Meta’s Andrew Bosworth told Nikkei Asia.
Tokyo tower, Cointrade logo | Japan’s CoinTrade announces Fireblocks partnership to improve digital asset security | japan crypto, fireblocks

Japan’s CoinTrade partners with Fireblocks to improve digital asset security

CoinTrade said it has partnered with crypto custody platform Fireblocks to provide institutional clients with improved security for digital assets.
TradFi and DeFi rivalry

The TradFi vs. DeFi rivalry is hitting a new peak — and that’s bad for everyone

Amid the current banking crisis, each side is exhibiting disdain for the other when neither holds the moral high ground, writes Rachel Lin of SynFutures.
Bitcoin | Bitcoin, Ether dip; Dogecoin loses Twitter tailwind; U.S. equities drop on recession concerns | Markets, BTC -Bitcoin, ETH - Ethereum, MicroStrategy, NFT - Non-Fungible Token

Bitcoin, Ether dip; Dogecoin loses Twitter tailwind; U.S. equities drop on recession concerns

Bitcoin dipped below US$28,000 in Thursday morning trading in Asia as most other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies lost steam. Dogecoin led the losers.
A humanoid robot with a large Bitcoin logo over its right ear.

MicroStrategy buys 1,045 Bitcoin, holds 140,000 BTC in total

MicroStrategy acquired 1,045 Bitcoin for around US$29.3 million, at an average price of US$28,016 per coin, between March 24 and April 4, 2023
Arbitrum’s AIP-1 proposal to be split after community backlash

Arbitrum’s AIP-1 proposal to be split after community backlash

Top blockchain and crypto news: Arbitrum to segment AIP-1. DeGods NFT collection moves to Ethereum. Crypto on the agenda at ‘China’s Davos.’
bitcoin

Bitcoin holds above US$28,000, Ether rises most in top 10 cryptos

Bitcoin remained above US$28,000 in Wednesday trade in Asia. Ether made the most gains as the top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies by market capitalization increased, except Dogecoin.
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money transfer

Overseas crypto transfers cost 96.7% less than traditional system: Coinbase

Americans spend more than US$12 billion in remittance fees each year when sending money to family and friends living overseas using the traditional financial system. However, overseas remittances using Bitcoin and Ethereum cost 96.7% less, according to research by Coinbase.
Crypto coins on gold background | Bitcoin pushes beyond US$28,000; Polygon’s Matic leads gainers, same chain see surge in NFT trades | bitcoin, ether, matic, polygon, crypto market today, crypto news

Bitcoin pushes beyond US$28,000; Polygon’s Matic leads gainers, same chain sees surge in NFT trades

Bitcoin rose on Wednesday, moving above US$28,000. Ether, Matic and most other top 10 non-stablecoin tokens gained.
Hand holding up closed sign

Paxful shuts Bitcoin exchange due to regulatory challenges, staff departures

Paxful Bitcoin exchange announced the indefinite suspension of the marketplace on Tuesday, citing regulatory challenges and staff departures.
Polygon SDK NFT

Polygon SDK: Helping shape NFTs at scale

Polygon blockchain is gaining traction among traders with fast transactions, low gas fees and Ethereum’s provenance. From hosting popular games to partnering with major brands, Polygon’s versatility is one to watch.
bitcoin

Bitcoin trades above US$28,000, Dogecoin leads gains among top 10 cryptos

Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, recovered to trade above US$28,000 on Tuesday afternoon in Asia.
Seoul skyline in the night, South Korea.

Singapore’s Alchemy Pay eyes South Korea expansion with US$10 mln funding

Alchemy Pay is eyeing expansion in South Korea following its US$10 million funding from blockchain investment firm DWF Labs.
House with the flag of Canada. Immigration to Canada. Buying real estate. Houses for rent in Ottawa. Property price. Acquisition of real estate in another state.

WonderFi, CoinSmart, Coinsquare to merge into Canada’s largest crypto trading platform

Three Canadian cryptocurrency companies announced a merger on Monday, creating Canada’s largest crypto asset trading platform with over 1.65 million registered users.
Various crypto | Bitcoin dips, Ether gains, Dogecoin soars following Twitter icon change | Markets, BTC - Bitcoin, ETH - Ethereum, DOGE - Dogecoin, Elon Musk

Bitcoin dips, Ether gains, Dogecoin soars following Twitter icon change

Bitcoin dipped below US$28,000 in mixed Tuesday morning trading in Asia. Ether rose. Dogecoin surged after Elon Musk switched the Twitter icon to Dogecoin’s Shiba Inu.
words crypto and regulation written on torn papers

What the US can learn from the Philippines to regulate crypto in a smarter way

The Philippines has licensing requirements and proactively monitors crypto firms, while the US regulates by enforcement only after consumers are already badly hurt, writes Robert De Guzman of Coins.ph.
Close-up of golden Bitcoins on a dark reflective surface and the histogram of decreasing crypto in the background

Bitcoin drops below US$28,000, Dogecoin biggest loser in top 10 cryptos

Bitcoin fell and traded below US$28,000 in Monday afternoon trade in Asia. Ether and most other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies by market capitalization also declined.
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abstract Web3 technology concept

Web3 can change the world. Why aren’t more people on board?

Despite Web3’s vast potential, it’s still too clunky and opaque to most people, writes Miles Parry of MPCH Labs. Here’s what can make it more user-friendly.
Cyclist passing by the Bank of Japan in Tokyo, Japan | Japan's central bank urged to speed up CBDC efforts

Japan’s FSA steps up crypto regulation with warnings to Bybit, other exchanges

Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit has been ordered to comply with Japan’s regulatory requirements and cease offering services to Japanese residents, after Japan’s Financial Services Agency issued a warning to the company over its registration process
Bribery and corruption concepts. | S.Korea to expand probe on token listing bribes if it sees ‘more evidence’ | south korea crypto coinone bithumb bribery

S.Korea to expand probe on token listing bribes if it sees ‘more evidence’

Taking bribes in exchange for listing cryptocurrencies has been common practice among South Korean exchanges, one expert told Forkast.
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 crypto exchange to shutter U.S. operations due to regulatory uncertainty

Seattle-based crypto exchange Bittrex, Inc. will wind down its U.S. operations from April 30, citing continued regulatory uncertainty in the region.
Bitcoin on purple-ish background | Bitcoin, Ether drop; US equities rise as inflation cools down | Markets, BTC - Bitcoin, ETH - Ethereum, Binance, Ripple

Bitcoin, Ether drop; US equities rise as inflation cools

Bitcoin dipped on Monday morning in Asia but held above US$28,000. Most top 10 non-stablecoin cryptos dropped following a week unsettled by regulatory woes.
DeGods

DeGods begins migration to Ethereum

Largest Solana NFT DeGods has started its migration to Ethereum just days after Y00ts began to move to Polygon.
A mechanical skull with a golden Bitcoin token implemented above the eye

Weekly Market Wrap: Bitcoin pops above US$29,000, market shrugs off Binance legal woes

With a U.S. regulator coming after Binance with a lawsuit and the seeming mounting pile of warnings and fines against other exchanges in the country, Bitcoin briefly skidded below US$26,677 only to rebound and pop up above US$29,000 on Thursday. Since then it has moved along the US$28,000 line, so what does this lawsuit by the heavyweight Commodity Futures Trading Commission mean for the broader crypto market?
cryptocurrency tokens spread out

Bitcoin, Ether fall; top 10 cryptos mixed; gold closes March 8% higher

Bitcoin and Ether fell during Asian trading hours on Friday, while the rest of the top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies by market capitalization were mixed, amid mounting allegations against Binance
Flags of Hong Kong and mainland China | Crypto platforms need regulation as form of investor protection: HK’s SFC chief | China, Hong Kong, Cryptocurrency Assets, Regulation & Law, SFC - Securities and Future Commission

Crypto platforms need regulation as form of investor protection: HK’s SFC chief

Government officials from Hong Kong and mainland China talked about cryptocurrencies at the Boao Forum in China, as both chase Web3 ambitions.
Japanese digital currency plan

Japan’s finance ministry to launch panel to assess digital yen: NHK

Japan’s Finance Ministry is reportedly planning to launch an expert panel next month to assess the feasibility of issuing a digital yen, according to NHK.
TeraWulf facility

Bitcoin miner TeraWulf reports 146% revenue growth, expanded mining capacity

U.S.-based Bitcoin miner TeraWulf, which started operations in March last year, reported a 146% surge in revenue in the fourth quarter of last year compared to the previous quarter, citing expanded mining capacity. 
Terraform Labs co-founders Daniel Shin (left) and Do Kwon (right) | South Korea court rejects second arrest warrant request for Terraform Labs' Daniel Shin | south korea terra luna do kwon montenegro

South Korea court rejects second arrest warrant request for Terraform Labs’ Daniel Shin

A South Korean court dismissed for the second time a request by prosecutors for an arrest warrant for Terraform Labs co-founder Daniel Shin.
Bitcoin in front of screen | Bitcoin fluctuates to hold US$28,000, Binance BNB token rises despite regulatory threat | Markets, BTC - Bitcoin, ETH - Ethereum, Federal Reserve, Binance

Bitcoin fluctuates to hold US$28,000, Binance BNB token rises despite regulatory threat

Bitcoin dipped in Friday morning trading in Asia but held above US$28,000. The top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies traded mixed. Binance’s BNB led the winners.
Silicon Valley Bank logo and broken glass background

Banking crisis shows why Bitcoin is needed more than ever

From the ashes of Lehman Brothers to this year’s bank failures, Bitcoin has proven itself as a necessary part of the global financial system, writes Mike Belshe, CEO of BitGo.
Stacked cryptocurrencies | Bitcoin crashes through US$22,000 floor as failure of Silvergate crypto bank hits market | Markets, BTC - Bitcoin, ETH - Ethereum, Silver Gate

Bitcoin rises; Ether, other top 10 cryptos fall amid fresh Binance allegations

Bitcoin, the only gainer in the top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, rose during Asian trading hours on Thursday.
hong kong skyline

HK-based venture fund hopes to raise US$100 mln for crypto investments: Bloomberg

Hong Kong-based asset management firm Plutus VC plans to raise US$100 million by the end of 2023 to fund investments in the cryptocurrency market, according to a Bloomberg report. The fundraising comes as the city moves to regain its status as an international finance and crypto hub.
do kwon in front of american flag | Montenegro hints U.S. may get to extradite Terra fugitive Do Kwon ahead of South Korea | do kwon terraform labs montenegro arrested

Montenegro hints U.S. may get to extradite Terra fugitive Do Kwon ahead of South Korea

The U.S. may have gained an edge in a race with South Korea to extradite Terra chief Kwon Do-hyung from Montenegro on charges of fraud.
panel

Hong Kong may license at least 8 crypto firms by year-end: former SFC regulator

Hong Kong may issue virtual asset trading licenses to at least eight cryptocurrency-related firms by the end of this year as part of the city’s new crypto licensing regime, said Angelina Kwan, chief executive officer of financial services firm Stratford Finance and a former regulator of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission.
Binance logo

Binance denies China ties, says it started relocating staff out of China in 2021

The Binance comments came in response to a Financial Times article that cited internal documents and said the company had close ties with China despite claims it had left the country in 2017 following a government crackdown.
Bitcoin on green background | Bitcoin climbs above US$28,000, XRP leads winners for the week, U.S. equities jump | Markets, BTC -Bitcoin, ETH - Ethereum, Binance, SEC - Securities and Exchange Commission

Bitcoin climbs above US$28,000, XRP leads winners for the week, U.S. equities jump

Bitcoin edged above US$28,000 in Thursday morning in Asia amid a broad rally in most top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies.
Web3 and a rolled up paper

Why rollups-as-a-service will be to Web3 what AWS was to Web2

The blockchain world is hampered by many of the same problems as the early internet, writes Amrit Kumar of Altlayer. What could RaaS do for the industry?
SEC Chair Gary Gensler

SEC Chair urges more resources to regulate crypto and technology at House Subcommittee hearing

SEC Chair urges for increased funding to address challenges posed by crypto markets and rapid technological innovation during House Subcommittee testimony.
beaxy

SEC charges Beaxy cryptocurrency platform for violating securities laws

The SEC has charged the Beaxy crypto trading platform and its executives for operating as an unregistered exchange, broker, and clearing agency.
Binance logo seen through magnifying glass

Binance concealed ‘extensive’ ties to China: Financial Times

Binance reportedly hid ties to China for years despite claiming to have left the country following Beijing’s regulatory clampdown in 2017.
Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Indonesia.

Crypto exchange Fasset hopes to win Indonesia license next month

Dubai-based Fasset says Indonesia digital asset adoption is still in early stages, but the country’s young population is taking to crypto faster, encouraging exchanges to move in despite infrastructure constraints.
Russian currency

Russia delays CBDC pilot to await new law

Russia has postponed the trial of a digital ruble originally scheduled for April 1, as it awaits a regulatory framework to be adopted before the pilot, according to a report by state-owned news agency TASS.
European Union concept with gavel and brown paper with the word legislation

EU lawmakers impose €1,000 cap on anonymous crypto, cash transactions

European lawmakers have adopted legislation imposing a €1,000 (US$1,084) cap on anonymous cryptocurrency transactions, as part of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) package.
Binance logo, Do Kwon, and Hong Kong skyline with physical cryptocurrency models layered on top

Binance faces legal battle as US regulator gets ready to rumble

Top blockchain and crypto news: Binance targeted in CFTC lawsuit. Law catches up with Do Kwon. Chinese banks bet on Hong Kong crypto.
Bitcoin on digital tablet with exchange graph by crypto coins

Bitcoin rebounds above US$28,000, XRP leads gains among top 10 cryptos

Bitcoin rallied above US$28,000 in Wednesday afternoon trade in Asia after losing ground earlier in the week when U.S. regulators filed a lawsuit against Binance, the world’s biggest crypto exchange, for allegedly breaching trading rules.
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Binance Chief Executive Officer Changpeng Zhao. Image: Binance's blog post

Binance sees US$627 mln in net Ethereum outflow following CFTC lawsuit

Binance saw about US$627 million in net Ethereum-related withdrawals in the 24 hours through Tuesday morning, data from blockchain analytics platform Nansen showed.
Bitcoin on blue background | Bitcoin holds ground amid Binance lawsuit, XRP continues run up, U.S. equities dip | Markets, BTC -Bitcoin, ETH - Ethereum, Binance, Bank

Bitcoin holds ground amid Binance lawsuit, XRP continues run up, U.S. equities dip

Bitcoin rebounded in Wednesday morning trading in Asia along with all other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies. XRP led the winners.
OKX logo, Hong Kong

OKX cryptocurrency exchange to apply for virtual asset license in Hong Kong

Seychelles-based cryptocurrency exchange OKX said it will apply for virtual asset licenses to operate digital asset services in Hong Kong.
Sam Bankman-Fried. | Former FTX U.S. CEO Sam Bankman-Fried rejects liquidators' claim of recovered assets

Bankman-Fried charged with paying millions in bribes to Chinese government officials

Sam Bankman-Fried allegedly paid US$40 million in cryptocurrency bribes to at least one Chinese government official in November 2021.
Ripple down 3.5% after 1B XRP unlocked from escrow

Asia leads crypto regulations, innovation may leave the US, says Ripple’s Long

Asia-Pacific nation are leading the way in developing global cryptocurrency regulations that favor innovation, which is something that U.S. regulators should also take note of, said Ripple Labs Inc. President Monica Long
Disney

Walt Disney reportedly scraps metaverse plans

Entertainment conglomerate Walt Disney Co. has reportedly scrapped its metaverse plans as part of its decision to lay off 7,000 employees and reduce US$5.5 billion in expenses. 
Bitcoin

Bitcoin, Ether extend declines amid U.S. lawsuit against Binance; Asian equities mixed

Bitcoin and Ether continued to fall in Tuesday afternoon trade in Asia, along with most other top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, after regulators in the U.S. pulled up Binance, the world’s biggest crypto exchange, for allegedly violating trading mandates.
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Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao. Image: Zhao's Twitter

Binance rejects U.S. charges of violating trading rules, manipulating markets

Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao said the charges are “an unexpected and disappointing civil complaint” in response to the CFTC lawsuit filed on Monday against him and the world’s largest crypto exchange.
do kwon and image of handcuff | Montenegro to hold Terra-Luna fugitive Do Kwon for 30 days, says Yonhap News | do kwon, montenegro, terra luna, terraform labs, daniel shin

Montenegro to hold Terra-Luna fugitive Do Kwon for 30 days, says Yonhap News

Kwon Do-hyung will be held in Montenegro for a month on charges of using forged travel documents, South Korea’s Yonhap News reported.
mobile banking network concept

Is our banking system obsolete?

For long, people could only put cash into a bank account or under the mattress, writes Eric Johnson. Will blockchain technology offer a viable alternative?
Bitcoin in front of chart | Bitcoin, other crypto fall as US sues Binance; U.S. equities gain as banks stabilize | Markets, BTC - Bitcoin, ETH -Ethereum, CFTC - Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Bank

Bitcoin, other crypto fall as U.S. sues Binance; U.S. equities gain as banks stabilize

Bitcoin fell Tuesday morning in Asia along with most other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies after the U.S. filed a lawsuit against Binance.

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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.