Forkast.News is now Forkast Labs
hong kong

China uses blockchain to ease cross-border finance barriers in Greater Bay Area

Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong have three legal and monetary systems. A new blockchain banking platform would unify the area into an economic hub.
and
ripple

Ripple proposes framework for India to regulate crypto assets

White paper by global blockchain payment platform urges Indian lawmakers to make cryptocurrency legal while providing mechanisms to root out bad actors.
Podcast Thumbnail

Ep. 17 | Will India ban crypto again? VeChain wows Germany. Centrapay and bitcoin vending machines.

Other top news: Chinese high schoolers cram-studying bitcoin mining. Blockchain-powered lotteries in Cambodia. Startups in India, Singapore and UAE.
india crypto

DeFi is ready for India, but are Indian authorities ready for crypto?

India and DeFi could be headed for a symbiotic relationship — unless the government cracks down on crypto again and forces a breakup.
china

China’s ‘Gaokao’ college entrance exam may have a question on bitcoin mining

10 million Chinese high schoolers will soon take the equivalent of the SAT or A-Levels, and it looks like they better study up on how crypto gets made.
and
huobi state media

Why China’s state media is rebuking Binance while lauding Huobi

Is it because Huobi has an in-house Communist Party relations office, while rival exchange Binance does not? Gather ’round for a Tale of the Two Cryptos.
and
digital rmb final

China’s new DCEP could fast-forward the nation into a cashless society

The rest of the world may worry over the new e-RMB and what it could do to the US dollar. But inside China, will yet another digital payment system even matter? Forkast.News finds out what the laobaixing think.
and
Podcast Thumbnail

Ep. 16 | Bitcoin and Black America. Is Coinbase watching you? Bitmain’s Game of Thrones.

Other top blockchain news: China sounds new warning against crypto. Brave browser brouhaha. Startups in Japan and Malaysia.
joe lubin

ConsenSys offers compliance suite for Ethereum tokens

Crypto and compliance is a hot topic these days, with Ethereum co-founder Joseph Lubin’s incubator joining the fray with a new toolset.

Distribution strategy may be the key to blockchain adoption

How Visa, M-Pesa and Binance became wildly successful — and why even the greatest technology still requires thinking through how to get your product into the hands of your customers.
china police

Bitmain drama escalates with new threats and use of force. Do customers care?

Game of Thrones at the world’s largest bitcoin mining rig maker culminates, in this week’s episode, with a once-exiled company founder storming and seizing back the corporate castle.
and
mask worker

How Congress is learning about blockchain, one bit of bitcoin at a time

Covid stimulus needs and China’s new CBDC have heightened interest in digital assets, but US lawmakers are still trying to make sense of new technologies. In an interview with Forkast.News, Perianne Boring of Chamber of Digital Commerce also discusses prospects for a U.S. digital dollar, and more.
Podcast Thumbnail

Ep. 15 | Is China’s digital RMB ready for prime time? Making the case for a US CBDC. Blockchain comes to Minecraft.

More top news: China exploring blockchain to cure gaming addiction. LG joins Hedera Hashgraph. Startups in Japan, Singapore and the Philippines.
bitcoin

Bitcoin — from halvings to haven: why BTC may witness growth in 2020

Short-term speculators are unimpressed by BTC’s recent performance. But Covid and geopolitical disruptions have not yet played out. What does it mean for investors?
Staff monitoring passengers body temperature in Wuhan railway station during the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak

How to improve data security during Covid disruptions

Working from home heightens computer security risks and the need for good data governance. What are the best practices for safeguarding critical data?
digital dollar template3

Digital dollar advocates lay out path to a US CBDC

Digital Dollar Project’s new white paper proposes a ‘third format of currency’ that would be interchangeable with paper money while preserving privacy. Is America ready for a government crypto dollar?
money transfer

Contrarian wisdom on bitcoin mining. Also: how China’s DCEP could shake up the global financial system.

Adam Traidman of BRD discusses CBDCs in an age of intensifying US-China rivalries, and bitcoin halving’s surprising impact on crypto mining and profits.
Podcast Thumbnail

Ep. 14 | Was that Satoshi? TRON 4.0 gets lukewarm reception. Blockchain Bill of Rights.

More top news: China pours billions into blockchain and other infrastructure. Ant Financial’s new smart contracts. VC in Singapore and India.
bernard hermant IhcSHrZXFs4 unsplash

As Covid drives the world toward digital assets, what is the outlook for bitcoin and CBDCs?

Digital currencies will become increasingly common in the economy, with CBDCs as an ‘organic gateway.’ Should we worry about user privacy?
Two mobile phones performing a transaction

China hopes its new digital currency will internationalize the RMB. When might that day come?

China’s new DCEP — the world’s first major central bank digital currency — just piloted in 4 cities. When it is ready for mass use, could it challenge the US dollar’s hegemony in global trade and finance?
piqsels

What is China’s new CBDC, and what is it not?

The central bank’s cash-like DCEP sets the stage for China’s next-gen financial infrastructure. Will it threaten the US dollar’s global supremacy? A University of Chicago Booth professor explains.
Podcast Thumbnail

Ep. 13 | Bitcoin bewitches JK Rowling. A Stellar start for Ukraine’s new CBDC. Investors drag Nvidia back to court over crypto sales.

Other top news: Fintech-friendly policies for Hong Kong-Shenzhen bay area. China makes blockchain jobs more respectable. VC in Singapore and S. Korea.
pikrepo

Blockchain will disrupt the entertainment industry. Which part first?

Cinemas are closed, Netflix is here, but torrent providers renew their careers!
magic leap

Magic Leap’s demise is sucking life out of the augmented reality industry

The Covid-battered economy and Magic Leap’s woes are blowing headwinds at the nascent industry. But AR software, ads and mobile platforms offer hope.
china us digital edited

What does ‘universal basic income’ have to do with a digital dollar or a central bank digital currency?

Covid-19’s disruption of global economies could speed up changes to financial systems around the world. Will cash become obsolete?
Podcast Thumbnail

Ep. 12 | Bitcoin halving elicits yawns. As China trials CBDC, Tim Draper predicts it will bomb. Is NEAR Ethereum’s new killer?

Other top news: TRON snags Covid aid. Free Telegram Open Network. China builds tech talent database. Bitmain’s civil war. Another win for Ripple.
china us

Famed investor Tim Draper predicts both a digital dollar and Chinese DCEP “will bomb”

In an interview with Forkast.News, the billionaire venture capitalist also discusses globalism, regulatory arbitrage, the future of healthcare and why he thinks bitcoin is king.
4189485441 2b1c16e67a k

China will soon have its first bachelor’s program in blockchain. Why isn’t the talent-starved industry more excited?

Blockchain education conundrum: China wants blockchain growth, but its tech labor supply “quality” falls short of high employer demands. A Forkast.News exclusive report on a new program in Chengdu and clues to what might be holding China back.
Podcast Thumbnail

Ep. 11 | Crypto surges before bitcoin halving. China taps SenseTime for CBDC rollout. BitMEX shuts out Japan.

Other top news: IBM’s Covid medical supply network. China now has over 1,000 blockchain firms. Startups in Japan, India and Singapore.
cryptocurrency 3424781 1280

How FATF’s anti-money laundering guidelines for cryptocurrency are putting the heat on banks and VASPs

David Jevans, CEO of CipherTrace, explains FATF’s global influence and recent enforcement actions that have proven to be expensive for those caught.
abstract-ad-ai-artificial-intelligence-371919

Will artificial intelligence replace humans in investing?

AI and big data can crunch more information than ever before. Can technology crush humans in finance the way it already has in the games of chess and Go?
engin akyurt KtYvqysesC4 unsplash

Lessons from Covid: How the blockchain community can rise to its ideals

What can the blockchain industry do to adapt its work to the current crisis? Acknowledging the widening socio-economic divide would be a good start.
IRS

How IRS treats crypto staking: tax issues every crypto investor should know

Crypto tax expert Vamshi Vangapally explains the impact on coins like NEO, Stellar, VeChain, Ontology, Tezos and soon, ETH 2.0.
Podcast The Week That Was 10

Ep. 10 | Ripple sues YouTube over scam videos. Hong Kong’s first regulator-approved bitcoin fund manager. Hacker messes with dForce.

Other top news: Courier giant YTO forms blockchain logistics lab. 224 more blockchain firms get official thumbs up. VC in Singapore, UK and US.
hong kong

‘Enormous potential’: institutional investment in cryptos may be boosted by regulator’s approval of Hong Kong’s first bitcoin-tracking fund

Asia’s first regulator-approved digital asset manager opens the door for wider cryptocurrency adoption.
frank busch PzifgmBsxCc unsplash

‘Unsettling limbo’: Covid has paralyzed tech investment. How will startups survive?

Companies are holding off investing in emerging technology not only because of economic turmoil, but also structural biases against meaningful change.
christian dubovan Y x747Yshlw unsplash

Liquidity is the new boss in town: RockTree LEX’s Omer Ozden on investment opportunities as Asia recovers from Covid-19

Venture capital slowed as the coronavirus economy contracted. But out of the turmoil are still investment and fundraising opportunities.
earth day

Celebrating Earth Day 2020 — and not letting Covid overshadow the Paris accords and blockchain climate solutions

A co-founder of the original Earth Day urges world leaders to not be complacent about the temporary dip in emissions and lose sight of urgent climate goals.
Podcast The Week That Was

Ep. 9 | U.S. rethinks ‘digital dollar.’ China’s new national blockchain platform. Is Libra now a stronger rival to China’s CBDC?

Other top news: Bitcoin halving frenzy. New Huawei tech zone. Blockchain company busted for defective face masks. VC in Hong Kong and Canada.
mining

What is ‘proof of work’ and how does that affect Bitcoin halving?

Forkast.News explains ‘proof of work’ — the DNA of Bitcoin — and and why most of the world’s cryptocurrency miners will soon be sweating a lot more for their coins.
bank2

Why central banks are pushing ahead with digital currencies

Central bank digital currencies could change government, the economy, and even society, writes Digivault CEO.
money edited

As China’s DCEP approaches launch, Facebook’s Libra pivots

This week has been one where big changes came fast and furious on the opposite sides of the central bank digital currency world.  First, alleged screenshots of a mockup of the People’s Bank of China central bank digital currency’s mobile app were published, giving the public a taste of the apparent functionality of the platform […]
anna auza D7Q6JpFleK8 unsplash

Covid is disrupting the global workforce to its core. What will the future of work look like?

Companies are decentralizing into purely digital workplaces to survive the pandemic. What are the long-term implications on the structure of employment and the technologies required for working from home?
CF8 thumb

Ep. 8 | Reddit crypto awards, Ripple coupling with BoA, blockchain boozes up in China, and more

Also: Dozens of crypto firms sued in 11 class-action lawsuits. Bitcoin mining company Canaan bleeds red ink. Fintech funding in India, and more.
Podcast Cover Photos dibb

Why invest in Bitcoin when global markets are still a hot Covid mess?

Bitcoin’s tumbling prices during the coronavirus pandemic may be an opportunity to buy the dip.
dollar

How a tokenized digital dollar could modernize the American financial system

The U.S. backed away from a digital dollar in its coronavirus relief package. But a tokenized dollar would be better for America — and bring us closer to a true central bank digital currency, says a director of the Digital Dollar Project.
farm 2852025 1280

Why Canaan’s red ink illustrates the big challenges now facing crypto mining

Aside from concerns about mismanagement, what else is causing Canaan to flounder? Forkast.News analyzes Canaan and the many storms — including the Covid economy and the next Bitcoin halving — now rocking the world of crypto mining.
virus 1

How healthcare uses blockchain to wage a smarter war against the coronavirus pandemic

Distributed ledger technology can help flatten the curve of Covid-19 through telemedicine, supply-chain security, rapid payments and more.
Ep 7

Ep. 7 | Binance buys CoinMarketCap, Toilet Paper Token skunks Bitcoin, China pulls ahead in patent race, and more

Other top news: Blockchain in TV and film. Going Dutch on Covid. Nodle’s new network. BMW tracking auto parts. House rentals in new intelligent city
artem beliaikin e geRd5eCQ unsplash scaled 2

VC deals are slowing in Covid-19 headwinds. Will we see bigger disruption?

Investment totals are down, but deals are still being inked and alternative fundraising methods are flourishing. What kind of investments will thrive? And which ones will likely flop?
40079396114 5599d75430 k

Why South Korea’s new law against bitcoin and other crypto could damage its DeFi sector

The financial watchdog’s ruling would prevent cash from being loaned out for bitcoin and other cryptocurrency. Forkast.News analyzes its likely impact on the sector.
32677459247 2aec6e1e7c k

Safe havens like bitcoin and gold are sinking in this pandemic economy. Where can investors find shelter?

As Covid-19 roils markets and currencies, next-generation algorithmic stablecoins may offer a smoother ride.
48960444846 714e8569d7 k

How China hot-housed a new technology and 35,000 ‘blockchain’ companies bloomed

China is trying to grow its blockchain industry, but are all these startups for real? Forkast.News dives into the data to find the truth behind the numbers.
Ep 6 1

Ep. 6 | New blockchain arsenal to fight Covid-19, Zoom cancels Facebook, coronavirus wipes out Digital Farms, and more

Other top headlines from around the world: Microsoft wants to power mining with brain waves. Crypto exchanges Huobi and OKEx under fire. China shifts to digitally sweep ancestral graves.
bills 2

How the FATF’s travel rule could push cryptocurrency into the mainstream

How are crypto companies complying with the travel rule, and what does it mean for decentralization and privacy? In a Forkast.News exclusive, industry experts analyze FATF’s impact on regulations around the world and what to expect next.
swan 3869076 1280 2

Bitcoin’s ‘black swan event’ — should investors worry?

BTC’s recent tumbles and movements with the rest of market may be an anomaly and opportunity for investors.
Ep 5

Ep. 5 | U.S. weighs digital dollar, Coinbase top lawyer joins Treasury, and more

In this newsletter and podcast, we bring you top headlines around the world, including: A new proposal to create a digital dollar. Coinbase’s legal chief heading U.S. Treasury. A Bitcoin-Red Cross coronavirus fundraiser in Italy. Universal basic income’s revival. Steem’s hard fork into Hive, and more.
1280px Digital money illustration 20180111

Analysis: Are the ‘digital dollars’ in the $2 trillion stimulus plan the first step toward an American CBDC?

Coronavirus’ impact on the U.S. economy might hasten the creation of a digital dollar.
Mask 2

Coronavirus prevention tips for the long haul: face masks, social distancing, hand wipes and more

Coronavirus fears spread panic as well as infection. Face masks, hand washing and social isolation are best practices.
sharon mccutcheon 8a5eJ1 mmQ unsplash

Is Covid-19 universal basic income’s moment?

Robotics and blockchain will unleash massive job losses as workers struggle to adjust. Should society offer UBI to ease the economic pain?
Ep 4

Ep. 4 | Bitcoin’s wild ride, Robinhood in tough times, Covid-19 hacks Ethereum event

Also: Blockchain voting after the Voatz debacle, IOTA limps back after cyber attack, smart cities in China, and Forkast.News insights to help you make sense of the top headlines.
1280px Voting day 1 1

Can blockchain voting break the cycle of elections fraud in Africa?

A decentralized, digitized and secure voting system could make elections more transparent, honest and trusted. But can blockchain voting also stem violence against voters — and overcome stains from the Voatz debacle?
clifford photography AM 6Utithbo unsplash scaled 1

Is death of the STO an exaggeration – or market reality?

Despite all signs that interest just isn’t there for STOs, and ICOs are too tarnished by scams to be a legitimate investment vehicle, this investor thinks there’s life left in both.
stanislav kondratiev ffeVBlLj9qo unsplash scaled 1

Blockchain in telecom: ‘blockchain phones’ need to evolve to be taken seriously

In the third installment of this special three-part Forkast.News series, we look at some phones on the market that bill themselves as ‘blockchain’ but are only doing a disservice to the industry.
Ep 3

Ep. 3 | Top blockchain news on China, France and S. Korea – and a new Ethereum protocol. What’s next for India?

What’s up with South Korea’s new blockchain regulations? And where is bitcoin now legal tender? (Mai oui!) Other headlines around the world: a storm over STEEM, the new Baseline protocol for privacy, HTC’s Exodus 5G Hub, and how the coronavirus has affected blockchain firms in China.
ramiro mendes sMCBEI5zkqc unsplash scaled 1

Going for gold amid coronavirus recession fears

Gold bars are unwieldy. Gold futures and ETFs carry risks. Can gold-backed crypto, or tokenized gold, be a safer hedge during the current market tumult?
1280px Coronaviruses 004 lores

Coronavirus and the challenge of reporting timely and accurate medical data

CEO of Hedera Hashgraph explains how distributed ledgers can help front-line doctors and scientists in the battle against Covid-19, and how the emerging techology may be the future of international disaster relief.
robert thiemann T1rGLeImYYA unsplash

How bitcoin is helping African migrant workers and their families save money

Blockchain technology now offers hope to radically transform the African remittances industry in favor of migrant workers and their families.
bill 1

India crypto leader calls Supreme Court victory against central bank ‘game changer’ for industry

India’s crypto sector saw a major boost after its Supreme Court ruled to lift a ban on crypto trading, paving the way for more blockchain development.
gold 1

Tokenized gold: smart investment as coronavirus fuels economic turmoil?

Coronavirus fears are sending markets tumbling. Could tokenized gold, or gold-backed crypto, be the next-generation investment in times of economic trouble?
david shares URrK Rc4joU unsplash 1 scaled

Blockchain and telecom: HTC’s blockchain phone isn’t what you think it is

Blockchain phones aren’t yet able to offer the ability to provide total security for your data.
irs2

IRS crypto summit airs many questions

Specific identification, hard forks and mainstream use: U.S. crypto investors are scrambling to figure out how new guidelines will affect their tax returns.
and

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.