Articles by
Kelly Le
As a journalist, Kelly has covered stories at South China Morning Post, People's Daily, and Beijing News. She received a Master of Journalism from the University of Hong Kong, and a B.A. in TV Editing / Directing from the Communication University of China in Beijing.
February 2021
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.
January 2021
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.
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?
China tests new phone-free DCEP e-RMB card for helping rural poor
As China presses its digital currency closer to launch, a Shanghai test reveals features aimed at the 700 million Chinese without mobile phones or the internet.
December 2020
China’s 5 hottest blockchain developments in 2020
With DCEP nearing launch, China is having a banner year in blockchain-related technologies. Here’s what’s hot in China and what’s too hot to touch.
Hong Kong may be first global ‘sandbox’ for China’s DCEP digital yuan
Hong Kong is in talks to pilot-test China’s new digital currency. How would the e-CNY affect Hong Kong’s future cross-border payments with the mainland?
China widens DCEP digital yuan tests, advancing global ambitions
In biggest test yet of China’s CBDC, 100,000 Suzhou residents will use e-RMB for holiday shopping. Hong Kong is also now laying groundwork for future.
November 2020
Was China Construction Bank’s $3 billion blockchain bond doomed from the start?
Beijing put a stop this week to Fusang’s China Construction Bank bond listing on the Ethereum blockchain. What was the Chinese government afraid of?
Is China trying to put its cryptocurrency industry out of business?
After crackdowns on crypto exchanges, China is now freezing bank accounts. Why is the world’s largest bitcoin producer tightening the vise over its miners?
China’s OKEx crackdown is a warning shot to other crypto exchanges
Cryptocurrency exchanges flying flags of convenience is sure to annoy China’s regulators and may no longer be a viable business strategy.
October 2020
Macau is using blockchain to bring back tourists. Is Hong Kong next?
A blockchain-based health code system that can certify a visitor’s Covid-free status has reopened travel between Macau and mainland China
PwC’s ‘Time for Trust’ report misses mark on blockchain in China
The ‘Time for Trust’ report downplays the growing impact that blockchain is having on China’s economy. Here’s what’s really going on with this technology.
China pushes 50,000 people to spend DCEP right away, in biggest test yet of new digital currency
China advances its new e-RMB closer to launch after distributing to Shenzhen residents 10 million yuan in digital ‘red packets’ that will expire next week
China leads in blockchain patent filings, but how much of that is real?
Blockchain patent filings may not be indicative of China’s technological prowess or patent quality — especially when standards are questionable
September 2020
Ahead of massive IPO, Ant Group launches blockchain platform for global B2B trade
The Chinese fintech giant rolls out its ‘Trusple’ platform for cross-border business uses, on the eve of an IPO anticipated to be the largest in the world.
China’s national blockchain network offers 24 new chains to users for free—with a catch
China’s latest state-backed blockchain initiative’s official name proclaims that it is ‘public.’ But is it really? Forkast.News explains.
US private equity activity takes a walloping due to Covid-19
Deals in mid-size firms that make up the engine of the economy were down as exits were put on pause — but fintech and broader tech sector still shine bright
Tencent Cloud continues blockchain expansion with two new platforms
Aside from cross-chain compatibility and scaling, the Shenzhen tech giant is also aiming to resolve data privacy and security issues in healthcare and finance.
August 2020
How close is China’s digital currency DCEP to launching?
As China’s digital currency begins large-scale testing, business giants like Didi and Meituan appear to be signing on. What does China’s central bank say?
July 2020
Why 10,000 Antminers disappeared from Bitmain-owned crypto mining farm
Latest salvo in Bitmain’s epic civil war: World’s largest crypto mining equipment maker accuses estranged co-founder of absconding with customers and a big chunk of the world’s hashing power.
Bitmain drama escalates as co-founder registers new bank account, website
In this chapter in the saga of the troubled mining company, ousted co-founder Micree Zhan establishes new online presence
June 2020
Will the glare of Justin Sun blind the public to TRON 4.0?
Ahead of the revamped blockchain platform’s July 7 launch, TRON’s flamboyant founder woos fans with gifts. But some netizens find him hard to love.
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.
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.
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.
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.
May 2020
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.
April 2020
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.
November 2019
Binance’s corporate registration in China lapsed in 2018
The crypto exchange has a presence in China, but not an official registration.