September 2023
AI, Asia and analytics — an interview with Nansen’s Alex Svanevik
Blockchain analytics are key to understanding the nascent crypto industry. But the analysis sector is far from immune from the pressures of the ongoing crypto bear market. In the first of a series of 1-on-1 interviews from the Token2049 conference held in Singapore Sept. 13-14, Alex Svanevik, CEO of blockchain analytics firm Nansen, sat down with Forkast to discuss current crypto challenges, the Asia growth market and the increasing use of artificial intelligence in the industry.
Hong Kong may tighten enforcement amidst JPEX scandal, says former SFC official
The JPEX scandal sheds light on the vulnerabilities in Hong Kong’s crypto marketplace, prompting reflection on regulatory safeguards as the city aspires to be a global digital asset hub, former SFC regulator Angelina Kwan says.
US SEC to tighten regulatory enforcement beyond Coinbase, Binance.US
Top blockchain and crypto news: U.S. SEC steps up regulatory enforcement. Gaming giant Zynga moves into NFTs. Woes ahead for JPEX exchange after HK arrests.
There’s a new game in town
Zynga’s free Sugartown Oras NFTs spotlight the power of mystery in the digital asset realm as prices surge on speculation.
Friend.tech a surprise hit among crypto investors at Token2049 as they urge ecosystem expansion
Funders see the novel social media network as emblematic of an abundance of opportunity in crypto and DeFi amid infrastructure gaps and increased integration with real-world assets
Crypto and Formula One’s honeymoon is over, can Web3 save a rocky marriage?
The third installment of Forkast’s ‘Crypto in Sport’ series comes from Singapore, which this week plays host to Formula One’s Singapore Grand Prix. Crypto companies poured hundreds of millions of sponsorship money into F1 at the height of the bull market, but might a prolonged crypto winter pull the plug on this marriage of convenience? Or can diversification and real world use cases help breathe new life into the relationship? Welcome to crypto’s very own drive to survive.
Who’s who in the Sam Bankman-Fried trial?
FTX’s former CEO, Sam Bankman-Fried, faces DOJ scrutiny with seven charges. Here are the six key figures in the coming crypto courtroom showdown.
Bitcoin collectibles: a diamond in the rough
Bitcoin’s NFT sales dip mirrors early challenges of Ethereum; is the pioneer blockchain set for a comeback in the collectibles market?
Nepal central bank plans CBDC within two years, crypto and stablecoin still excluded, says spokesperson
It has been more than a year since Nepal’s central bank, the Nepal Rastra Bank, initiated amendments to the law to enable the issuance of the digital version of the Nepalese rupee. What is the status of its CBDC?
Korea Blockchain Week: diverging crypto paths for the US and Asia
The annual Korea Blockchain Week conference in Seoul is running from Sept. 4 to 10. Crypto industry leaders and advocates from around the world have gathered in the South Korean capital to discuss all things blockchain, including the growing regulatory gap between the U.S. and Asia.
From Fukuoka to the world? The Japanese DAO trying to shake up sports fandom
In the second installment of Forkast’s ‘Crypto in Sport’ series we head to the land of the rising sun, where J1 League football club Avispa Fukuoka have incorporated a first-of-its-kind DAO into their operations. Can the DAO provide a model for the rest of the sports world to follow? Can it change the way fans engage with their clubs?
Coinbase and Wall Street: The merging worlds of TradFi and crypto
Top blockchain and crypto news: Coinbase steps up to fill void of crypto lenders. NFTs extend losses. What’s next for crypto as Singapore gets a new president?
The End of the Beginning for NFTs
SEC charges shake NFT market as pricey assets record losses and global sales hit new lows, marking the onset of a transformative era for digital collectibles.
India’s G20 presidency has failed to advance global crypto governance, ex-finance secretary says
With nine months under its G20 presidency belt, India’s approach to cryptocurrency governance remains static. Amid regulatory ambiguity, the nation’s crypto industry struggles to cope with stringent tax rules.
SEC delays verdict on BlackRock’s ETF application; Will Bitcoin ETFs see light of day?
After Grayscale’s legal win, the SEC decided to postpone its decision on spot Bitcoin ETF applications. Will these proposals be greenlit? And when?
The rise and continuing fall of Sam Bankman-Fried: A step-by-step guide to his case so far
The 9 key pieces of information you need to know ahead of the FTX founder’s first trial on Oct. 2
August 2023
Grayscale triumphs over SEC: A David v. Goliath win in the crypto arena
Top blockchain and crypto news: U.S. court compels SEC to review Grayscale’s ETF application. SEC zooms in on NFTs. Asia’s richest man eyes blockchain, CBDCs
A Dark but necessary time for NFTs is here
From Miami parties with A$AP Ferg to a historic NFT market slump: The highs and lows of the NFT world.
Could Rishi Sunak’s blockchain dream live on without him?
This final installment of a 3-part series on the U.K. digital asset industry looks at the politics driving the British crypto conversation. PM Rishi Sunak is a believer, but an election’s coming up, and his rivals appear less keen on turning the U.K. into a global crypto hub.
Rising tide or sinking ship
OpenSea’s royalty policy change ignites debate between tech advocates and creators. Mark Cuban calls it “a huge mistake as NFT market slides 6%.
‘Third category thing’ — untangling digital asset property law in England and Wales
How can we claim to own something that falls outside traditional categories of personal property? In this second installment in a 3-part series looking at the U.K. digital asset industry, Law Commissioner for England and Wales Sarah Green explains how.
By royal decree — the UK moves toward regulating crypto
This first installment in a 3-part series on the U.K. digital asset industry looks at recent efforts to regulate crypto and expand the sector.
Alotta NFTs, alotta volume
NFT data reveals a staggering 876,000 transactions across DMarket, DraftKings, Gods Unchained, and Sorare. DMarket alone boasts over 15 million NFTs. Combined, these giants account for nearly one-third of all NFT transactions.
Is PayPal’s new stablecoin a watershed moment for crypto?
PayPal launches stablecoin. Traditional gamers take on NFTs. Tough times ahead for Huobi.
Blockchain is fast, direct and all too cryptic — can it reshape international aid?
As explored in the first installment of this two-part series, crypto funding is being used to provide small but important items to troops on the frontline. But beyond the battlelines, how can crypto help get aid to civilians in times of crisis?
First aid kits, boots and batteries — how small but significant crypto funds are used in global conflicts
As war rages in eastern Europe, this first installment in a two-part series looks at the growing use of crypto funding in global conflicts, focusing on the small but significant provision of supplies to pro-Russian mercenary groups in Ukraine.
Japan’s blockchain group lobbies for tax change
Japan’s blockchain group urges tax change. Bitcoin NFT struggles but it may be a sleeping giant. Litecoin falls after halving.
Bitcoin Ordinals profitability falls in July, but total inscriptions pile on
Revenue for NFT services on the Bitcoin network, or the aggregate value of marketplace fees and creator royalties, declined over July even as total Ordinals inscriptions crossed 20 million.
The diversity in NFTs
NFT trading volumes continue to stay low but gaming NFTs gave traders some positive news this week.
Crypto’s latest inflection point an opportunity for Asia to lead, says Circle’s Yam Ki Chan
Speaking at the WebX Asia conference in Tokyo, Circle’s Singapore-based vice president of strategy and policy discusses U.S. regulation, growing pains in the crypto industry and Asia’s burgeoning role as a Web3 innovator.
July 2023
Is Worldcoin’s free crypto more than just a freebie?
Concerns arise over Worldcoin’s free crypto. NFT market does a crabwalk. Japan’s next big thing for the metaverse.
Tokyo governor joins prime minister in promoting Japan as open for Web3 business
The Tokyo WebX Asia conference, which claimed to be the largest of its kind in Asia, wrapped on Wednesday after two days of exhibitions, crypto-themed side events, and debate on what Japan needs to do to be a central part of the future of the digital asset industry.
Sky Mavis and CyberKongz Plan to Win Together
CyberKongz plans a shift to the Ronin blockchain alongside Axie Infinity as Sky Mavis gears up for its first PFP collection and third-party NFT mint.
XRP triumphs over SEC, but crypto clarity remains in the shadows
Top blockchain and crypto news: Ripple not clear of hurdles | NFTs in historically slow period | Hong Kong banks dither
NFTs, Where did the buyers go?
Despite ample Ethereum holdings, traders appear less willing to invest in NFTs. Ethereum wallet growth data in 2023 suggests low NFT sales, while Ether used for NFT sales has dropped to 2021 levels.
Standard Chartered’s great expectations for Bitcoin in 2024
Top blockchain and crypto news: Standard Chartered eyes US$120,000 per Bitcoin | Another week of declines in NFT market | Sega and Line team up.
NFT recovery or new bottom discovery?
Blur has been adding demand for specific collections by incentivizing floor NFT trading, which may have mitigated aggressive price undercutting for liquidty.
Sega says still exploring Web3 game initiatives despite reports of withdrawal
The Japanese gaming giant is currently somewhere in the Web 2.3 to 2.7 range, says co-Chief Operating Officer Shuji Utsumi.
South Korea, Singapore, Thailand clarify crypto rules as U.S. in state of regulatory ‘warfare’
While Asia nations such as Singapore and Thailand seem to be following the U.S. regulator in frowning upon certain products offered by crypto exchanges, the approach in Asia so far seems to be clarity instead of court battles, in contrast with North America
How did Do Kwon move US$18 mln in stablecoins to ‘unfreezable’ tokens while in Montenegro jail?
A South Korean academic tracking on-chain data says Do Kwon, the imprisoned founder of the now collapsed Terra-Luna crypto project, seems to have outside help in moving stablecoins from his digital wallets into other cryptocurrencies.
Cardano ‘ghost chain’ outperforms top blockchains in NFT market
Despite a plunge in unique NFT buyers on Cardano, which earned it the nickname “ghost chain,” data reveals that the blockchain’s NFT market outperformed leading competitors such as Ethereum, Solana, and Polygon in June.
No surprise as Singapore, Thailand step up crypto regulation
Southeast Asia steps up regulation. No end in sight for NFT market decline. Voyager’s shrinking portfolio.
The NFT market’s historic new lows
NFT market recovers after Azuki’s Elementals mint debacle as traders report liquidity issues amidst price tumble.
Blockchain Alliance’s Raj Kapoor says the technology can reshape India’s governance systems
Kapoor founded the India Blockchain Alliance five years ago and gives an update on how the technology is being used in police reports to real estate transactions, as well as challenges of CBDC adoption and plans for tokenization of assets. He spoke in an interview for Forkast IQ.
Generative Art – The Golden Goose of NFTs
Dmitri Cherniak’s generative art NFT, ‘The Goose’, sold for US$5.4 million at Sotheby’s. The sale, a second highest for generative art, signals NFT art’s growing prominence and potential in the Web3 era.
June 2023
Ripple executive spells out Asia future after license success in Singapore
Ripple Labs’ Asia-Pacific branch is offering digital payment services in Singapore after receiving in-principle approval of its license application from the MAS on June 22. What does that mean for the company’s Asia business?
Crypto gets a boost following reports of Fidelity’s imminent Bitcoin spot ETF filing
Top blockchain and crypto news: Fidelity Investment is reportedly close to filing its own Bitcoin ETF. NFT traders seek liquidity. Singapore eyes asset tokenization.
Crypto in the land of geisha — the global Web3 community arrives in Kyoto
Geisha, kimono, tea ceremony — the Japanese city of Kyoto is a place rich in traditional culture. But as the national government pivots toward the cutting edge potential of digital assets and Web3, the city is this week playing host to one of Asia’s largest crypto get-togethers.
Can Azuki’s new Elementals spark the entire NFT market?
Azuki’s Elementals launch may be a turning point for the NFT market, with the continued decline of top projects’ floor prices.
Binance Abu Dhabi’s Longman discusses UAE’s crypto boom
Binance Abu Dhabi’s chief Dominic Longman discusses the UAE’s approach to cryptocurrencies and the state’s support for innovation.
OKX crypto exchange to be operational in Dubai within the year, says executive
Seychelles-based cryptocurrency exchange OKX, which says it is the world’s second-largest crypto platform by trading volume, opened an office in Dubai on June 15 as part of its global expansion and aims to raise staff numbers to 30 to tap opportunities in the region.
Wall Street-backed crypto exchange a sign of lingering interest despite SEC’s crackdown
Top blockchain and crypto news: Wall Street backs new crypto exchange. NFT traders remain cautious. Alibaba’s incoming chairman is a crypto fan.
Ordinals inspire a new type of Ethereum collectible called Ethscriptions
Ethereum developers inspired by Bitcoin’s ordinals launch ‘Ethscriptions’, a new on-chain collectible.
Independent Reserve plans Hong Kong office, explores further Southeast Asia expansions
Independent Reserve may have a new Hong Kong office in the “next few months,” the Singapore chief of the Australian crypto exchange said in an exclusive interview. Focusing on institutional clientele, the exchange aims to double trade volumes and expand its user base this year.
Whales are feasting on NFT Art
Sotheby’s NFT auction sees Ringers #879 rise to the record books as one of the highest ever generative art in Ether value.
Crypto in the time of cockroaches
An account of a holiday from hell draws parallel to the dark world of cybercrime and how anyone can fall victim to sophisticated crypto thefts.
SEC lawsuit sees Binance.US wobble, trading platforms delist cryptos
Top blockchain and crypto news: Binance.US at risk. Ex-SEC official’s comments complicate Ripple suit. Hong Kong lawmaker aims to entice exchanges.
Back to the physical: China metaverse seeks to boost real-world economy
The final story in a three-part series on Asia metaverse developments looks at China’s national strategy, which has seen dozens of cities and provinces release spending plans and training schemes to adopt this digital world in real-world industries. China’s initiatives, however, face challenges from regulation and global competition.
How low can NFTs go?
SEC scrutiny sends NFT market into downturn. Traders liquidate or hold off as Forkast 500 NFT Index hits all-time low amidst crypto turbulence.
Chicken first, egg later — Japan’s need for a macroscopic view of the metaverse
After a slow start, Japan’s development of a domestic metaverse is gaining pace. This second account in a three-part series asks: can the nation compete with rivals China and South Korea in building a 3D virtual world that – according to the promises – would open up new realms of economic prosperity and even potentially ease nagging social problems?
Charting the digital continent — East Asia’s real-world race to build the metaverse
South Korea, China, Japan — East Asia’s three industrial powerhouses are taking their economic rivalry to the virtual world. Each is developing a domestic metaverse in a race to become the region’s industry leader. This first account in a three-part series takes a look at what’s happening in South Korea.
Insights from Dubai’s cryptocurrency scene as city looks to be global digital assets hub
Ghassan Jumblat, fintech director at financial services company Integrated Communications Channel discusses the evolution of the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, as the city positions itself as a future hub for digital assets.
SEC FUD can’t stop the fun in NFTs
NFT Community Resilience: Amid SEC scrutiny, builders thrive with Bitcoin NFTs soaring, Polygon’s mystery unveil, art sales surging, and IP licensing advancements.
Inside The Sandbox: A glimpse into the metaverse with co-founder Sebastien Borget
Sebastien Borget of The Sandbox and Yehudah Petscher of Forkast Labs discuss the promise of the metaverse, the role of NFTs and the potential impact of Apple’s Vision Pro.
Why the US is waging war on Binance, Coinbase
Top blockchain and crypto news: Binance, Coinbase in SEC firing line. Solana NFTs slump as Bitcoin’s surge. New dawn in Hong Kong crypto regulations.
Apple’s VR/MR Brings the metaverse back into focus
Apple’s Vision Pro VR is the new door to the metaverse. This headset may not be the first, but like CryptoPunks, it’s set to redefine how we see and use NFTs
Crypto industry reacts to SEC’s lawsuit against Binance
The SEC sued Binance on Monday, amid mounting regulatory scrutiny of crypto exchanges. Industry experts shared insights on what this could mean for Binance and how it could drive crypto innovation out of the U.S.
Return of the NFTs?
NFTs reach new heights as May sees record-breaking transactions, hinting at widespread adoption.
Hong Kong’s crypto rules offer level playing field, investor protection, says OSL exchange executive
OSL is one of only two digital assets trading platforms in Hong Kong licensed to offer services to professional investors.
What’s next for crypto miners after US debt ceiling deal?
Top blockchain and crypto news: Miners dodge tax bullet. Blur, Binance heat up NFT lending. Chinese cities’ plans reveal nationwide Web3 ambition.
Hong Kong to be digital asset rules sandbox for China, says former city regulator
Virtual assets will receive the same regulatory clarity in Hong Kong as their real-world counterparts, says former Hong Kong SFC regulator Angelina Kwan.
May 2023
The Flippenings: Bear to Bull Market and Ethereum NFTs to Bitcoin Ordinals
China’s possible entry into NFTs, Russia’s crypto payments, and new token standards fuel market optimism.