Articles by
Timmy Shen
Timmy Shen is a Taipei-based journalist at Forkast. Previously, he wrote for Caixin Global and TechNode, covering topics ranging from fintech to fan economy. He also cares about LGBT+ issues and is a shabu shabu fanatic. Timmy holds an MS degree from Columbia Journalism School.
January 2022
Foxconn’s Taiwan subsidiary receives investment from Google for metaverse projects
The US tech giant will pour $40M via private placement in Ennoconn, as the iPhone supplier continues to dream big for metaverse.
Kazakh riots hit crypto miners amid internet blackout
Bitcoin hashrates tumble as miners unprepared for an outage, experts say.
China’s digital yuan app now publicly accessible, one step closer to launch
But e-CNY adoption remains an issue, with mobile payment platforms such as Alipay and WeChat Pay already ubiquitous.
Binance faces regulatory rebuke in Ontario, obtains preliminary approval in Bahrain
The world’s largest crypto exchange continues struggling to stay compliant, but it has seen some luck in the Middle East.
January 2022
Year in review: Top China blockchain news in 2021
China tries to stamp out Bitcoin mining while increasing its influence over blockchain technology and preparing the digital yuan for launch. What lies in store for 2022?
US SPAC’s refusal to merge with Hong Kong crypto firms raises questions
Crypto 1 will consider acquisition targets worldwide but steer clear of digital assets companies in China and Hong Kong. Are the lights dimming on a major crypto hub?
BIS: DeFi has few real-economy uses, says ‘decentralization is an illusion’
With suitable regulation in place, DeFi could yet play an important role in the financial system, BIS suggests.
South China’s Hainan province hikes electricity fees on those who have mined crypto
On top of China, authorities in Russia and Ukraine are busting underground miners, while U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren presses a New York miner.
Bitget suspended over Army Coin, named after K-pop boy band BTS fanbase
Singapore-based crypto exchange had claimed the fan token would support BTS members — while the band’s agency denied any association with it.
K-pop agency Cube bets big on NFT and metaverse
The impresario behind superstars BTOB and (G)I-DLE tells Forkast.News there’s ‘no upper limit’ to how much Cube will invest in NFTs and a metaverse for concerts.
December 2021
China’s new mobile payment rules could pave the way for e-CNY, experts say
In the long run, the new rules may ‘lay the perfect foundation’ to improve risk management, says an ICBC expert.
Crypto miner Xive flees southern Kazakhstan amid power shortages
Xive co-founder tells Forkast.News no mining is possible in the south, while other regions still survive.
Digital yuan scams emerge across China as central bank readies e-CNY
Inner Mongolia police bust yet another digital yuan money laundering case.
Norway considers banning Bitcoin mining while Laos embraces it
The Scandinavian country is concerned with potential environmental harm, while the debt-laden SE Asia nation seeks to regulate.
Texas faces new concerns over power grid burdens as crypto miners flood in
China’s mining exodus has flowed to the cowboy state that embraces crypto, but it might have to take into consideration the surging power loads.
Chinese mining rig maker Canaan reports record-high earnings
China may be banning crypto mining activities, but rig makers appear to be spared from the clampdown.
China sees another digital yuan fraud case
Chinese police have busted yet another tele-fraud case related to e-CNY money laundering as the country continues to test the digital currency.
Taiwan has a chance to develop crypto amid China’s clampdown, Filecoin Foundation director says
As crypto projects are relocating from China to friendlier shores, it represents ‘huge opportunity’ for Taiwan.
Indonesia’s top Islamic council says crypto use is forbidden for Muslims: report
The religious body’s decision comes after the country saw crypto transaction growth earlier this year.
For China, quantity of blockchain patent applications not necessarily quality: report
The greatest number does not mean the greatest significance, analytics firm PatSnap says.
Bitcoin mining is ‘infinitely sustainable,’ says Blockstream executive
Panel explores sustainability issues surrounding the energy-intensive industry at Bitcoin & Beyond Virtual Summit.
New Hong Kong youth association hopes to nurture ‘patriotic fintech talents’
The city’s disaffected post-protest youth and recent statistics suggest a brain drain in the city’s future.