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Articles by

Zoltan Vardai

Zoltan is a writer at Forkast with a deep passion for storytelling and blockchain. Prior to joining the team, he worked as a marketing and content writer, focused on software and technology. Zoltan holds a master’s degree from the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and is interested in the future of global financial decentralization.

Author's profile on Twitter @ZVardai
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November 2023

UBS allows crypto ETFs for Hong Kong investors with at least US$2 mln assets

Three SFC-authorized crypto ETFs will be available on UBS’ Hong Kong platform.

ICBC forced to trade with USB drive due to ransomware attack

ICBC was disconnected from its trading partners after a cyberattack.

Blackrock files for Ether ETF: ETH tops US$2,100

BlackRock’s Ether ETF filing comes as the U.S. SEC entered an eight-day window to potentially approve pending Bitcoin ETF applications.

Ether breaches US$2,000 as BlackRock registers iShares Ethereum Trust entity

Ether rose to an over six-month high of US$2,045.

FTT up 65% after SEC’s Gensler hints FTX restart

FTT rose over 65% despite FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried’s guilty verdict last week.

SEC in talks with Grayscale for Bitcoin ETF: CoinDesk

The SEC has reportedly been in contact with Grayscale since its court victory in August.

Taiwan identifies new suspects in alleged JPEX fraud case: report

Prosecutors have reportedly identified new suspects after searching nine locations related to JPEX.

Standard Chartered’s SC Ventures, SBI Holdings launch crypto investment firm in UAE 

The move is part of SC Ventures’ expansion into the United Arab Emirates.

Bitcoin breaks US$36,000 as SEC enters potential ETF approval period

Bitcoin is up over 32% in the past month.

EBA proposes new liquidity guidelines for stablecoin issuers

The proposed guidelines will work as a liquidity stress test for stablecoin issuers, according to the EBA.

HSBC plans tokenized securities custody service with Ripple’s Metaco

HSBC’s new service is expected to launch in 2024.

Binance introduces self-custody Web3 wallet

Binance said it aims to onboard the next billion Web3 users with its new wallet.

Circle reportedly considering 2024 IPO: Bloomberg

Circle has previously tried to go public through a blank-check deal back in 2022.

Ripple partners with Onafriq for African cross-border payment channels

The partnership aims to reduce the high costs and lengthy transfer times associated with traditional remittance payments.

SEBA crypto bank receives license in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s legal system provides a solid foundation for crypto-related services, said SEBA Group CEO Franz Bergmueller.

Dubai calls on crypto firms to finalize applications by Nov. 17

Over 1,000 crypto firms will have to complete their applications by Nov. 17 to avoid regulatory consequences.

Mitsubishi UFJ launches joint stablecoin study with Ginco, Progmat

The joint study aims to create the infrastructure for issuing regulatory-compliant stablecoins for improved cross-border settlement.

Bitcoin transaction fees reach 5-month high, Ordinals surpass 38 mln inscriptions

The last time Bitcoin transaction fees were this high was on June 6.

Moody’s unveils AI that predicts stablecoin depegging

The artificial intelligence service is designed to predict the depegging of stablecoins in 24-hours.

Proof Group among three top bidders for FTX relaunch: report

Proof Group is also part of the group that won the bid for bankrupt crypto lender Celsius.

Bank of England, FCA to regulate sterling-denominated stablecoins

The central bank expects to release the final set of regulations by 2025.

Yuga Labs, Magic Eden to launch Ethereum NFT marketplace with enforced royalties

Magic Eden Ethereum will be the first major marketplace to contractually obligate creator royalties.

SBF conviction closes “dark chapter” in crypto: Yat Siu

Siu said this marks the crypto industry’s evolution from the FTX collapse and the Terra-Luna meltdown.

Bitcoin up 0.25% as U.S. jobs creation slows

Bitcoin was trading above US$34,000, as the decreasing job creation in the U.S. fueled hopes of another interest rate pause.

Okto pledges US$5 mln to support Vauld users

The US$5 million fund aims to help Vauld users who can’t withdraw their assets from the platform.

SOL up over 21% in a year since Alameda’s balance sheet hole came to light

SOL rose over 319% in 2023 so far, despite concerns around FTX’s lawsuit.

XRP approved by Dubai’s Financial Services Authority

The XRP token now stands to benefit from legal and regulatory clarity in the DIFC, according to the announcement.

Sam Bankman-Fried found guilty on all charges

Bankman-Fried’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 28, 2024.

PayPal subpoenaed by SEC over PYUSD Stablecoin

PayPal said that it is collaborating with the SEC’s request.

ProShares launches short Ether ETF

The new ETF will offer investors short exposure to Ether.

PayPal registers crypto service with UK FCA

The registration enables PayPal to advertise its crypto services to U.K. customers.

Tether offers US$610 mln debt financing facility to German Bitcoin miner Northern Data

Tether extends US$610 million loan to boost Northern Data’s AI and Bitcoin mining operations.

SBF trial enters final stage; Bankman-Fried lied about spending customer funds, prosecutors say in closing arguments

Bankman-Fried trial nears end: defense claims good faith as prosecution alleges misuse of funds.

Nomura-backed Komainu partners Crypto Garage for institutional crypto services

The collaboration aims to build institutional crypto services in Japan.

Circle to cease USDC minting for retail customers

Circle said the account closures do not apply to businesses or institutional Circle Mint accounts.

SBF examined over “cozy relationship” with Bahamian government in fraud trail

This marked Bankman-Fried’s fourth and final day of testimony before Wednesday’s closing arguments.

October 2023

Mad Lads creator Backpack to launch licensed crypto exchange in Dubai

Backpack said it also secured operational licenses in other jurisdictions.

Sam Bankman-Fried’s credibility questioned by prosecutors during cross-examination

Prosecutors pointed out inconsistencies in Bankman-Fried’s public statements before FTX collapsed in a four-hour grilling.

Singapore, Japan, Switzerland and U.K. to collaborate on digital assets pilots

The MAS said that its previous tokenization pilots demonstrated great potential benefits of the technology.

UK plans to introduce fiat-backed stablecoin rules in early 2024

The U.K. intends to introduce rules on fiat-backed stablecoins in early 2024, according to the government’s latest cryptocurrency policy update published on Monday.  See related article: Singapore, Thailand clarify crypto rules; NFTs become new cultural frontier Fast Facts See related article: Blockchain tech in Thailand gets boost from new pro-crypto lead

Standard Chartered’s Zodia Custody to launch in Hong Kong

The move is part of an Asia Pacific expansion effort by the cryptocurrency custodian.

Thailand’s Kasikorn Bank buys majority stake in Satang crypto exchange

The lender, known as K-bank, said it will also open three additional crypto subsidiaries.

Bitcoin briefly rallies above US$30,000 following Grayscale’s new ETF application

Bitcoin gained over 10% this past week, boosted by Grayscale’s renewed spot Bitcoin ETF application.

Binance says it signed agreements with new euro banking partners 

Binance announced it has secured new fiat partners for euro services after its former partner cut ties with the exchange last month.

LBRY shuts down operations

LBRY issued a final goodbye to the crypto community before winding down operations.

SEC drops all charges against Ripple’s CEO Garlinghouse and co-founder Larsen

The XRP token rose over 6% on the day after the SEC dismissed the charges against Ripple’s top executives.

Grayscale files for new spot Bitcoin ETF on NYSE Arca

Grayscale said that its fund is ready to operate as an ETF upon regulatory approval.

Gemini, Genesis, DCG sued by New York Attorney General

The lawsuit alleges that the companies defrauded over 230,000 investors.

Wallet Wars’ raW Pass NFTs sells out in 5 minutes

Wallet Wars, a Space Invaders-inspired game with a Web3 twist: upgradeable NFT spaceships.”

Coinbase taps Ireland as European hub ahead of MiCA regime

Coinbase said that the regulatory clarity MiCA provides to the industry is “hugely welcome.”

Lightning Labs to enable stablecoins on Bitcoin ecosystem with Taproot Assets

Taproot Assets will “accelerate the process of bringing Bitcoin to those billions of people,” according to Lightning Labs.

ECB to kick off digital euro preparation phase on Nov. 1

The central bank said that the preparation phase is not a decision on the issuance of a digital euro.

OFAC sanctions Gaza-based crypto exchange allegedly linked to Hamas

The U.S. takes action against 10 Hamas-linked entities, including Gaza-based money transfer business and crypto exchange Buy Cash.

UK emerges as world’s third-largest economy in terms of crypto transaction volume: Chainalysis

The U.K. is also listed as the 14th economy on Chainalysis’ Global Crypto Adoption Index.

Over 40% of Hong Kong investors shun digital assets post-JPEX Scandal, survey reveals

The survey aimed to measure the public attitude towards virtual asset investments, following the JPEX incident.

Trust Wallet’s TWT up 7%, leads top 100 cryptos in gains

TWT price rose over 15% during the past week, after Trust Wallet announced a major rebranding upgrade.

SUI Foundations denies supply manipulation allegations

SUI fell to a new all-time low on Wednesday following supply manipulation allegations, which the Sui Foundation denies.

EU adopts new crypto tax rules, mandate data sharing from crypto firms

The new data sharing rules will go into effect 20 days after their publication in the Official Journal.

Binance freezes over 100 accounts on Israeli police request: Financial Times

Israeli police requested information on 200 additional crypto accounts.

Binance.US suspends USD withdrawals

Users can still withdraw cryptocurrencies, according to the exchange’s updated terms of use.

XRP support for Roblox “inaccurate”: Decrypt 

Correction: This article originally stated that the XRP cryptocurrency is available for in-game payments in Roblox and Smite through the payment processor BitPay. Roblox has denied the report and BitPay has since deleted its announcement on X. Roblox, a popular online game with an average of 65.5 million daily active users, has denied claims that […]

OSL exchange’s HK$1 billion sale is “factually inaccurate,” says BC Technology

OSL’s parent firm said investors should exercise caution due to the “unusual movement” in the company’s stock price.

Binance halts new user registration in the U.K.

The exchange added that it will also stop releasing new products and services in the country.

Fake BlackRock ETF news prompts US$57 mln in Bitcoin long liquidations

Bitcoin briefly spiked to US$29,388 after the fake post, before tracing back the gains.

Tether freezes 32 addresses related to terrorism in Israel and Ukraine

Tether says it froze US$873,000 in USDT linked to terror activities in Israel and Ukraine. CEO Ardoino stresses crypto’s traceability.

Solana Foundation partners with DMCC Dubai

The SOL token rose over 5% in the 24-hour after the partnership was announced.

Ferrari starts accepting crypto payments in the US

The luxury car maker said it started accepting crypto payments due to popular demand from its crypto investor customers.

Upbit Singapore receives in-principal license from MAS

Singapore’s major payment institution license will enable Upbit to continue offering regulated digital asset services while awaiting its full license.

Australian Treasury to release crypto draft legislation by 2024 

The Australian Department of the Treasury said it will accept feedback on the draft bill by December.

Tether appoints Paolo Ardoino as new CEO

Ardoino takes Tether’s helm after serving as the USDT stablecoin issuer’s chief technical officer since 2017.

Mastercard’s Ciphetrace VP discusses decade-long maturation of cryptocurrency

Crypto is “part of the future,” said Melissa Wisner, vice president of crypto risk at Ciphertrace, during her panel discussion at D3 Bahamas.

Weekly Market Wrap: Bitcoin falls below US$27,000 following CPI and Israeli conflict

Bitcoin was subdued by the mounting geopolitical concerns around Israel’s war with Hamas and the ongoing FTX lawsuit.