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Beauty selfie app Meitu buys another $50 million in bitcoin and ether
Another financially troubled Chinese company turns to blockchain to improve its bottom line — this time, by buying up cryptocurrency a la Tesla.
Are bitcoin ETFs coming soon to America? Korea’s Shinhan Bank joins CBDC pilot. Argo seeks greener crypto pastures in Texas.
Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: As China tightens vise on crypto, Beijing to host 60-artist crypto art exhibition featuring NFT superstar Beeple.
Judge denies XRP holders’ bid to intervene in SEC v. Ripple lawsuit
XRP holders’ motion to join as third-party defendant was denied without prejudice as Ripple tries to bolster its ‘fair notice’ defense against SEC.
As big investors buy into bitcoin, demand for crypto custody grows
The race is on as crypto-native players and traditional banks ramp up cryptocurrency custody services for investors who can’t or don’t want to do it themselves
NEM launches Symbol blockchain and XYM crypto for new token economy
NEM’s Symbol blockchain will be interoperable, enable NFTs and allow assets like whiskey to be tokenized for investing. What will happen to XEM and NIS1?
XRP holders seek to join Ripple in fighting SEC lawsuit
In new legal filings, XRP holders blame SEC for causing ‘multi-billions in losses’ and say they intend to file a class-action lawsuit against the agency.
Looking past bitcoin: How tokenized real estate can diversify portfolios
Despite bitcoin’s new highs, BTC remains a volatile and risky investment. Are tokenized hard assets like real estate a better alternative for investors?
What does Weibo’s takedown of Binance & Huobi mean for crypto in China?
China’s Twitter-like platform disabled the crypto exchanges’ accounts on the same day China vowed to ‘crack down’ on businesses that sound like crypto.
SEC: no duty to warn about XRP; denies Ripple’s fair notice defense
Intensifying its legal warfare against XRP, SEC takes aims at the heart of Ripple’s defense. But Ripple scores wins in Tetragon and YouTube lawsuits.
Jack Dorsey cashing in on NFT frenzy. Ripple turns to CBDCs amid XRP’s legal troubles. Is India rethinking a crypto ban?
Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: Ethereum takes up with Amazon, plans gas fee changes. China likely to increase blockchain spending.
Does India have room for both bitcoin and a CBDC?
As debate rages over whether India should ban private cryptos in favor of a central bank digital currency, a case could be made that India needs both.
Guide to tokens and NFTs: what is ‘tokenization’ and how does it work?
What do tokenized securities and Jack Dorsey’s NFT tweet have in common? In this Forkast.News explainer, learn how crypto tokens are changing the world.
International Women’s Day 2021: Women making an impact in blockchain
Forkast.News showcases 10 inspirational women blazing trails — in business, government, law and NGOs — in crypto- and blockchain-related fields.
How blockchain can fight the scourge of synthetic identity fraud
Synthetic ID fraud is a new form of identity theft and a fast-growing crime. What is it, and what are the solutions? Rakesh Soni of LoginRadius explains.
Ripple: SEC did not give fair notice that XRP violated law
In its latest court filing, Ripple also says SEC led market to believe that XRP was not an investment contract. Outside court, Ripple pursues the CBDC business.
China’s bitcoin miners flee Inner Mongolia ahead of crypto mining ban
One of world’s biggest bitcoin-producing regions will soon ban cryptocurrency mining to meet China’s clean air goals. Where will all those miners go?
2021 will be the tipping point for institutional investors in digital assets
In a 2021 report, the HashKey Group predicts that more than 50% of institutional and professional investors will have exposure to digital assets by the year’s end.
Coinbase to go public on Nasdaq. Cardano upgrades amid ADA price rally. Beeple’s pop art riding high on NFT wave.
Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: Goldman Sachs, more big banks line up behind bitcoin. Short-sellers probe crypto miners in China.
China’s DCEP project launches biggest digital yuan test yet
As China widens the e-CNY’s testing to Chengdu, the future of WeChat Pay and Alipay becomes complicated. What are the new CBDC’s pros and cons?
Cardano transitions to multi-asset blockchain amid ADA price surge
Cardano blockchain, a so-called ‘Ethereum killer,’ completes its Mary hard fork upgrade as ADA becomes 3rd largest cryptocurrency behind bitcoin and ether.
Non-crypto firms in China jump into bitcoin mining to lift fortunes
Inspired by bitcoin’s boom, companies with no business in crypto are pivoting to cryptocurrency mining. A New York investors lawsuit offers a cautionary tale.
Major crypto players Coinbase and CoinShares are going public
Despite recent bitcoin and ether price drops, crypto giants Coinbase and CoinShares are betting that investment in digital assets will continue to grow.
The brief, meteoric rise of crypto Clubhouse in China
Now that China’s censors are blocking Clubhouse, what are the popular audio networking app’s mainland members doing? VPNs are the new velvet ropes.
Why crypto data aggregation will be essential to fintech in 2021
How will the rise in cryptocurrency drive banking and fintech innovation? Decentralized finance may offer a model, writes Christopher Brown of Zabo.
NFT mania: Are blockchain art and NBA crypto collectibles a fad or the future?
From Beeple’s digital art to LeBron James video trading cards, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are transforming the way we create, own and profit from content.
How the super rich are upending crypto’s DIY investment ethos
China, Hong Kong and Singapore are home to some of the world’s wealthiest investors. As they move into digital assets, how do their expectations differ?
4 central banks and BIS exploring CBDC bridge for Asia and Middle East
China, UAE, Hong Kong, Thailand and Bank for International Settlements collaborate on ‘m-CBDC Bridge’ digital currency project for cross-border payments.
Bitfinex, Tether banned in New York. No end yet to Ripple XRP’s SEC lawsuit woes. CBDC bridge for Asia and Middle East.
Other top blockchain and crypto news: Bill Gates on bitcoin. Nvidia protects gamers from crypto miners with separate CMP and GeForce RTX graphics cards.
No Ripple-SEC lawsuit settlement in sight as XRP prices tumble
Ripple and SEC face off in a pretrial conference as MoneyGram, the world’s second largest money transfer provider, suspends trading on Ripple’s platform.
Capitol riot: Is political extremism tarnishing blockchain by association?
Decentralized apps like DLive are gaining attention since the violent attack on the US Capitol. How will this affect the wider adoption of blockchain DApps?
Hong Kong plans to ban retail investors from trading cryptocurrency
Industry insiders warn that proposed rule to allow only ‘professional investors’ to buy and sell crypto could drive companies to crypto-friendlier shores.
Can blockchain solve Covid vaccines’ chaotic rollout? | Part 5
How can blockchain improve vaccine logistics? Forkast.News examines the frontiers of blockchain technology in this last article of a special five-part series.
Robinhood, GameStop frenzy players face Congressional questioning
Congress investigates links between Robinhood, Citadel, Reddit’s WallStreetBets and GME prices amid shifting investor interest to cryptocurrency and DeFi.
BNY Mellon, Jay-Z join bitcoin conga line. Will NFTs take over real world? Roadmap for Biden to take blockchain leadership.
Other top blockchain and crypto news: DeFi under Fed study. Andrew Yang, Wyoming vie for crypto attention. Hong Kong and India edge toward crypto bans.
How blockchain is transforming the investing and securities industry
Modern financial markets still rely on slow and inefficient plumbing from a bygone era, writes Oi Yee Choo of iSTOX. Here is how blockchain offers a system upgrade.
Can blockchain protect journalism and push back against censorship?
As press freedoms come under attack around the world, blockchain and distributed ledger technology are emerging to protect journalism.
Bitcoin miners seek 2nd hand gear to drive output amid rally
Tesla’s bitcoin dive is recharging an already hot crypto market, worsening the run on new mining equipment and heating up the second-hand rig market.
Want in on bitcoin? Here are 5 things new crypto investor must know
If you’re wondering how to get started in investing in bitcoin or other cryptocurrency, this Forkast.News guide is for you. But beware the risks and pitfalls.
Will India be left behind in the digital currency race?
India is moving toward banning all cryptocurrency and creating a state-backed digital rupee. But Tesla’s big bitcoin buy-in may be giving lawmakers pause.
Ripple co-founder Jed McCaleb unloaded $69 million worth of XRP in a week
Ripple co-founder Jed McCaleb has resumed selling his XRP holdings, dumping 130 million tokens over the last week, according to data from XRPscan.
How blockchain can improve vaccine safety and distribution | Part 4
Speeding Covid vaccines to market also led to confusion and waste. Here’s how blockchain can plug the gaps in the vaccine supply and distribution chain.
Will 2021 be a bull year for crypto e-hongbaos?
Red packets are going digital, and e-hongbaos for cryptocurrency are on the rise across Asia this Lunar New Year of the Ox.
Tesla drives bitcoin to the moon. Ripple XRP finds love in Japan. First Boulevard partners with Visa.
Other top blockchain and crypto news: ETH hits new high with CME Ethereum futures. DeFi yawns at YFI attack. China steps up DCEP digital yuan tests.
US must embrace digital dollar and cryptocurrency: Blockchain institute report
The Blockchain Research Institute-led report for Biden’s administration also outlines recommendations for crypto regulations and a national blockchain strategy.
Is the Tesla-inspired bitcoin gold rush the sign of a rational market?
Before Tesla’s bitcoin moves, big money was already placing BTC bets. What are bitcoin’s long-term fundamentals? Geoff Morphy of Bitfarms explains.
Binance Labs invests in Plasm Network to expand Polkadot
Plasm Network, a leading DApps hub on Polkadot and first parachain on its Rococo testnet, secures $2.4 million to build out the growing Polkadot ecosystem.
Bitcoin prices skyrocket after Elon Musk’s Tesla reveals $1.5 billion BTC buy
Tesla has invested $1.5 billion into bitcoin, according to an SEC filing published today. The news sent bitcoin prices rocketing into a new stratosphere.
China’s BSN will add CasperLabs’s proof-of-stake blockchain to its network
Casper Network goes big on its ‘first of many’ expansion ambitions in Asia by receiving the nod to join both BSN China and BSN International.
As bitcoin hovers near all-time highs, what does it mean for investors?
2021 is already shaping up to be a very different bull market for bitcoin compared to the past, writes Kadan Stadelmann of Komodo. Here’s why.
Uproar over WhatsApp and user privacy shows need for new data economy
Sharing user data in exchange for free services is not necessarily a bad thing, writes Henri Pihkala of Streamr. The key is transparency and user consent.
Using blockchain to bolster vaccines and trust in public health | Part 3
As Covid vaccines come to market, immunization programs are being undermined by disinformation and counterfeiting. Here’s how blockchain can help.
China’s blockchain network at new milestone with open permissioned chains
Tai’an and WenChang chains join BSN China’s ‘Open Permissioned Blockchain Initiative’ as nation grows its blockchain network while maintaining controls.
GameStop sinks as ETH hits all-time high. Ray Dalio weighs in on crypto. Elon Musk, bitcoin’s new warrior.
Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: India pushes CBDC and proposes banning crypto. Korea’s DeFi future. How does Bitmain’s drama end?
GameStop crashes as Ethereum-led crypto rally takes center stage
GME and other r/WallStreetBets-pumped stocks are now down over 50%. But Ethereum prices are soaring to new heights in a wave that’s also lifting Bitcoin and Cardano ADA.
XRP prices see ‘pump and dump’ as Ripple outlines legal defense strategy
In its response to SEC’s lawsuit, Ripple denies that XRP is a security, points out the clash with FinCEN and questions why SEC is not going after Ethereum.
As SEC goes after Ripple and Bitcoiin2Gen, is DeFi next in its line of fire?
Securities lawyers read the tea leaves of SEC’s lawsuits against Ripple XRP and Bitcoiin2Gen. Will DeFi be next for SEC enforcement actions or regulations?
Facebook-backed Diem, now close to launch, is propelling crypto into the mainstream
Formerly named Libra, the Diem stablecoin is now awaiting regulatory approval, writes Ilia Maksimenka of PlasmaPay. What are Diem’s odds of success?
GameStop copycat rally pumps up Dogecoin, Ripple XRP and other cryptos
Small investors drove up Dogecoin’s price by 1,000% after the GameStop saga, but money quickly left—and then Ripple’s XRP and Stellar prices went up.
Digital payments — not cash — is now king in Asia’s payment ecosystem
Singapore and Thailand launch the world’s first real-time cross-border digital payment system. Here’s what else is happening in Hong Kong and China.
Binance report: over 100 million people are now crypto users
About half of cryptocurrency users are hobbyists while 15% consider crypto their primary source of income, according to a survey of 61,000 crypto users.
Blockchain, mobile apps and advances in Covid tracking and tracing | Part 2
Blockchain amplifies the value of Covid testing and makes contact-tracing more effective. Here are some programs and apps now in use around the world.
74% of stablecoins are issued on Ethereum, according to new report
ConsenSys Codefi’s 4Q 2020 report on DeFi trends also predicts more ‘wrapped’ tokens, tranche lending products and Ethereum 2.0 derivatives in 2021.
Tether prosecution delayed again. Bitcoin’s false ‘double-spend’ rumors. Brave sends 24 million users to Web 3.0 via IPFS.
Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: BIS touts digital currencies. China’s blockchain network to add CBDCs as payment option.
Is Signal experimenting with Stellar-based cryptocurrency?
Signal, which exploded in popularity after WhatsApp’s privacy stumbles, may be exploring a business strategy pursued by Big Tech. What are the risks?
Bitcoin and other crypto trends to watch in 2021
How high will bitcoin prices go — and will 2021 be the year of the bitcoin ETF and advanced crypto derivatives? Jay Hao of OKEx looks to the future.
Singapore’s DBS bank becomes first in Asia to offer crypto exchange
As bitcoin and other digital assets go mainstream, traditional banks want a piece of the action. Singapore’s crypto-friendly regulations are paving the way.
China’s blockchain network adds CBDC payment layer, ConsenSys as partner
BSN’s new digital payment network will be a boon to Ethereum, stablecoins and CBDCs like China’s DCEP digital yuan while keeping other cryptos out.
China’s DCEP digital yuan wraps up another mass test
Now renamed e-CNY, China’s new digital yuan has now been tested by 250,000 shoppers in two cities. Is it finally close to launch?
Janet Yellen clarifies stance, notes ‘benefits of cryptocurrencies and other digital assets’
In written testimony, the US Treasury Secretary-nominee calls digital assets ‘fintech innovations’ and pledges to ‘encourage their use for legitimate activities.’
Special series: blockchain, Covid-19 and the future of healthcare | Prologue
Over the next few weeks, Forkast.News will publish a special 5-part series on blockchain’s growing role in the global battle against Covid. Here is an overview.
How blockchain technology can help revive air travel | Part 1
In Part 1 of a special series on blockchain, Covid and healthcare, Forkast.News examines how the technology fosters greater trust in traveler health records.
Biden halts FinCEN’s proposed crypto wallet reporting rules
On his first day in office, President Biden put a freeze on all new or pending Trump-era rules, including rules for crypto, and asked for a review.
