October 2022
China’s international blockchain push may face Huawei-like obstacles
China spent billions on its ‘belt and road’ infrastructure network to expand trade so what are its plans for a domestic and international digital infrastructure built on blockchain?
US Treasury says Congress needs to act to mitigate crypto risk to stability
The Financial Stability Oversight Council report says the lack of clear regulations in the cryptocurrency industry could pose a risk to overall U.S. financial stability and urges congress to write up new rules of the road.
September 2022
Tokenize plans acquisitions, fund raising to build exchange network
As the crypto slump drives job cuts and worse, some exchanges are seeing opportunity for expansion in the downturn, call it the fortune-favors-the-brave mantra.
Institutional finance, role of regulators in focus at TOKEN2049 crypto conference
The second Forkast report on Asia Crypto Week’s anchor event explores what bets TradFi players are making, how Asian investment patterns differ from those elsewhere, and what cooperation between crypto companies and regulators should look like
Cryptocurrency crowd shrugs off market woes at upbeat TOKEN2049 conference
In the first of a two-part report on this year’s cryptocurrency gathering in Singapore, defiance outshone defeatism despite industry’s struggles.
Cryptocurrencies much more than trading tools, says Caselin at AAX exchange
Who will regulate the regulators is a time-honored question and one Bitcoin enthusiasts raise when talking about the benefits of the token’s fixed supply versus the tendency of central banks to switch the money spigots off and on.
China busts ‘world’s dumbest thieves’ in digital yuan money laundering case
Chinese authorities can track e-CNY wallet transaction history, if warranted, thanks to its ‘managed anonymity’ design.
South Korea’s Busan city wants to be blockchain central. Did everyone get the memo?
The coastal city was a prominent manufacturer of footwear, fabric and other light industries during the 1970s and 80s, and then grew into one of the world’s biggest container ports. Now it’s trying to reinvent itself in the digital world of blockchain.
Binance stablecoin conversion controversial, but what does it mean for users?
Binance generated controversy when it told customers it would convert their holdings in three stablecoins to its own stablecoin. Some analysts say the concerns are overblown, others disagree.
Binance’s US$7.5 billion woman sees plenty of promise in bear markets
Yi He, who manages the multibillion-dollar portfolio at Binance Labs, is looking to invest in Web 3.0 projects from infrastructure, application and data to analytics and security.
For South Korea, making Do Kwon pay for his alleged crimes easier said than done
A member of the prosecuting team tells Forkast additional charges are likely to be leveled against Terraform Labs Chief Executive Officer Do Kwon following this week’s issuance of an arrest warrant for violating the country’s Capital Markets Act.
Terra CEO Do Kwon faces ‘illegal alien’ status in Singapore as Seoul cancels passport
Prosecutors investigating the man behind the US$37 billion wipeout of the Terra-LUNA cryptocurrency project are raising the stakes to get him back to South Korea.
SEC’s Gensler says proof-of-stake cryptocurrencies may be securities
When is a cryptocurrency a security and when is it not? Financial regulators around the world are raising that question. The answer that comes out of the U.S. may set the tone, but South Korea is also ahead in tackling it.
Women in India start to plug into cryptocurrency trading
Crypto exchanges in India say the number of female investors isn’t huge, but it is growing even as prices slide and new taxes eat into revenue.
Ethereum says Merge upgrade successfully completed, more to come
The Merge is a milestone in slashing electricity use on the Ethereum blockchain, but there are plenty more upgrades in the pipeline.
Fungible after all? Duplicates may disrupt NFT industry after Ethereum Merge
The Merge is the most anticipated event in the crypto industry in years, but could the multibillion dollar non-fungible token industry become an unexpected casualty?
All aboard the good ship Ethereum for The Merge. Next stop?
The most critical upgrade in Ethereum’s history is just around the corner, so what will it mean for prices of cryptocurrency?
US raises red flag on crypto mining with concerns over carbon emissions
White House says carbon footprint of crypto industry does not align with goals to decarbonize the economy.
China has seen blockchain’s future and it doesn’t include cryptocurrencies
China’s Blockchain-based Service Network wears two hats in building blockchains: one for business in China and one for everywhere else, but it doesn’t see a role for crypto in either.
World Economic Forum argues for CBDCs, Australia latest to test use-case technology
With over 100 countries experimenting with the technology behind Central Bank Digital Currencies, the World Economic Forum of Davos fame lays out its views on the potential benefits and drawbacks of CBDCs.
Binance move to remove USDC and others raise questions about market conduct
The world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange said the move was designed to “enhance liquidity and capital-efficiency for users.”
India crypto exchanges plan long-term future as day traders flee
In facing a government hostile to cryptocurrency trading, Indian exchanges are trying to attract new business with suites of different investment products.
Do I really need another picture of an ape? NFT market slumps in August
The NFT hype from earlier in the year is dying off as the market continues its downward path into the final third of the year. Fire sale coming for apes and cats?
South Korea’s taxman keeps circling crypto – airdrops look to be the next target
South Korea last week said crypto token airdrops are subject to a gift tax of as much as 50% under existing laws, but what is the likelihood this rule can be applied to digital holdings?
August 2022
The X-to-Earn model: Eat, sleep, do almost anything and get paid in crypto
Are you a good runner? Or eater? Or sleeper? Chances are whatever you’re good at, there’s a Web3 project out there to reward you in crypto. But do the tokenomics stack up?
India’s CoinDCX says it’s hiring to prepare for DeFi expansion
Despite the Indian government’s hostility towards cryptocurrencies, the CoinDCX exchange says more traditional financial products will shift to DeFi platforms.
Singapore’s MAS says needs to do better job explaining crypto policy
The city-state hosted a seminar with a title that it hopes sums up its crypto approach: “Yes to digital asset innovation, No to cryptocurrency speculation.”
Siloed regulatory efforts unlikely to help bring oversight to highly decentralized crypto industry
Panelists speaking at Forkast’s recently live-streamed event “Crypto Rising: The future of crypto regulation: APAC and Beyond,” co-hosted by Crypto Council for Innovation (CCI), said there need to be international cooperation among regulators from around the world to make any oversight of the crypto industry effective.
Crypto miners plan to fork Ethereum, will it make a difference to the Merge?
Ethereum has by far the most developers from DeFi projects to NFTs so how are they expected to respond to a plan by Etheruem miners to fork the network, a move miners argue is needed to stay in business.
OSL Digital placed a ‘tokenized bond’ in July — what’s next for blockchain securities?
Financial instruments sold and traded on a public blockchain could be the next big thing, so Forkast caught up with OSL to hear about what’s planned.
Australia’s crypto industry split on Treasury’s ‘token mapping’ scheme
The Treasury Department says its plan for how to regulate cryptocurrencies is unlike anything else in the world, but the country’s crypto industry isn’t sure that’s a good thing.
Liquidity crunch may loom for Bored Ape-collateralized loans as floor price slides
Not every NFT collection is facing the same issue, but due to the collection’s outsized influence it could have a significant impact on the rest of the Ethereum NFT ecosystem.
Who fared worse in cryptocurrency slump: criminals or legitimate users?
Report by Chainalysis says both use cases fell in dollar terms in first half of year and while legitimate usage by value far exceeds criminal, illicit activities fell by a much narrower margin.The report attempts to explain why.
Chandler Guo tells why he is the man who would hard fork Ethereum
In a Q&A, the former cryptocurrency miner explains his methods for trying to pull together a band of Ethereum mining brethren in order to keep their rigs running. The idea started at a party at his house.
Coinhako crypto exchange sees Asia expansion opportunity as rivals stumble
Cross currents: BlackRock Inc, the world’s biggest money manager, is talking about Bitcoin opportunities amid a market slump. Singapore’s Coinhako looks to have similar ideas.
Crypto exchanges’ race to the bottom on fees scalps Eqonex
Nasdaq-listed Eqonex’s decision to shutter its low-fee crypto exchange business to focus on asset management and custodial services may prompt similar moves in the highly commoditized industry.
Australia’s Holon Global got ahead of BlackRock with funds shrugging off crypto winter
Australia’s retirement fund industry, the world’s fifth largest at US$2.3 trillion, is one future target for investment funds offering cryptocurrencies.
BlackRock backflips on Bitcoin as latest institution to see promise in crypto
Something of a sea change? Financial institutions that once turned up their noses at cryptocurrencies are now figuring out ways to get access for their clients.
Korea Blockchain Week points to games leading the way into a Web3 savvy world
Follow the money? Korea Blockchain Week concludes this weekend in Seoul and one of the overarching themes is enthusiasm for blockchain-based gaming as the key to opening up a Web3 world to a broader audience.
Klaytn chief says reducing ‘human elements’ can prevent hacks
After high-profile cyberattacks on decentralized apps, the blockchain industry is in a hurry to ramp up security. Sam Sangmin Seo, head of Klaytn, tells Forkast that minimizing human error may be the key.
India crypto traders try to dodge fallout from WazirX woes, spat with Binance
What’s a crypto trader to do when the government freezes exchange assets, sparking a war of words between supposedly ‘merged’ exchanges?
Welcome to Web3, (hopefully) not a bigger monster than its version 2 sibling
How does a centralized internet browser plan for a decentralized future? Reinvention, and finding a receptive audience. First stop, Southeast Asia.
New US bill to give CFTC oversight of cryptocurrencies may speed up crypto legislation in other markets
The U.S. bill to bring cryptocurrencies under the oversight of the Commodities Futures and Trading Commission is likely to hasten legislation of such digital assets around the world.
South Korea’s all-encompassing crypto law is coming — what we know so far
Lawmakers are pulling together regulations for trading in digital assets. If all goes to plan, the so-called Digital Asset Basic Act will be in shape by the first half of 2023.
Blockchain in India got off on wrong foot, says former finance chief
India’s government doesn’t like cryptocurrencies and has made that clear in statements and with heavy taxes on the asset class, but what does that say about blockchain adoption?
Chinese mining rig maker Canaan says global expansion on track despite ‘crypto winter’
Beijing’s drive to stamp out crypto mining and the slump in crypto prices are headwinds that Canaan says it knows how to deal with, adding that the crypto winter may be shorter than expected.
NFT sales limp into August with a 25% drop from June to July amid crypto slump
Market analysts are mixed on outlook for non-fungible tokens, as some see mostly gloom, others point to glimmers of optimism.
July 2022
Covid restrictions drive some Chinese Web 3.0 firms to Singapore
A lack of certainty over future regulation and a long lockdown in Shanghai are pushing some Chinese Web3 companies to set up shop in Singapore.
Bad actors in North Korea, Russia send record-high funds to crypto mixers
A new report by Chainalysis shows that sanctioned actors, especially in North Korea and Russia, are sending record sums to crypto mixers.
Scarred by Terra-LUNA, South Korea moves ahead with digital asset reform
Aiming to uncover the next “BTS in finance,” Chairman Kim Joo-hyun of the Korean Financial Services Commission (FSC) is calling for “bold reforms” in financial regulations, including in crypto assets.
Philippine central bank governor says no plan to ban crypto
New Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe Medalla is no fan of crypto, but in an exclusive interview with Forkast, he said there’s no plan to outlaw the digital asset.
How crypto trading can become a life-consuming addiction
Residential rehabilitation centers around the world are starting to see a new kind of patient with an old problem: gambling addiction focused on crypto trading.
Bitcoin education accelerates adoption, lowers volatility: Ben Caselin, AAX
The price is bouncing back for the world’s favorite cryptocurrency and one Bitcoin expert tells Forkast now’s a good time to shift focus from price volatility to use cases.
Seeking Bitcoin alpha: How I learned crypto day trading
Hoping to strike crypto riches, Joel Stein follows the footsteps of a master degen investor. Here are the secrets revealed to him.
Failed promises compel South Korea’s game makers to explore foreign shores
The country’s major game developers continue to focus on overseas markets as there are no signs of a thaw in the government’s stance on games that include elements of blockchain and play-to-earn.
Play-to-earn game developers pivot to engaging fans
A focus on economic sustainability, or play-and-earn, is driving the P2E industry to rein in incentives and instead attract and engage gamers in the hope that they will end up spending on in-game assets.
Questions over Circle’s USDC reserves linger despite assurances
Fresh claims that emerged over the weekend about the status of Circle’s USDC reserves cast doubts on the ability of the so-called stablecoin to maintain its peg. In a deep dive, Forkast examined the allegations and reached out to the company for its version of events.
Financial Stability Board calls for high regulatory standards for stablecoins
The failure of a crypto market player may have spillover effects on traditional finance such as short-term funding markets, says the Basel-based international body.
China’s ‘Instagram’ gets into virtual fashion with users strutting NFT clothes
Will fashion shows move from Paris and Tokyo catwalks to potential audiences of millions in the metaverse? China’s Xiaohongshu social media site is testing the idea.
Three Arrows, Voyager failures raise questions of who is next in crypto fall from grace
The crypto winter is killing off companies that took on big risks when markets were booming. So is this the shakeout all financial markets go through?
Monthly NFT sales fall below US$1 billion for first time in 12 months
Crypto industry sales are slumping, but it’s not just hedge funds and lenders that have been hit hard by the crypto winter. The NFT industry has also begun to feel the chill.
CFTC Commissioner Pham suggests regulators stay tech-neutral on stablecoins
The crash of Terra-LUNA threw the entire crypto space into a dark funk, and raised questions about the safety and role of stablecoins. CFTC Commissioner Caroline D. Pham offers a regulators’ viewpoint at a Forkast+ exclusive event.
June 2022
India’s latest tax assault on crypto exchanges starts Friday
India’s government can’t seem to decide on following China with an outright ban on crypto trading. So is it bent instead on suffocating traders and exchanges with taxes?
K-pop logs in to the metaverse strung by idols’ vagaries, inability to tour
South Korea’s behemoth music industry is trying to sidestep its reliance on human performers by debuting virtual stars in the metaverse. But severing ties with fallible K-pop idols is easier said than done.
Wall Street seems to sense opportunity in distressed crypto markets
While critics say the bubble has burst on crypto, Wall Street is moving in to take advantage of what could be some fire-sale asset prices.
Singapore’s central bank says cryptocurrencies have ‘no fundamental value’
Whither Singapore in the cryptocurrency world? The Monetary Authority of Singapore has some views on that and as with most markets, there are winners and losers.
Warnings on crypto, Bitcoin have materialized, says central bank body BIS
Deeper structural flaws in crypto make it unsuitable as the basis of a monetary system that serves society, the Bank for International Settlements said in its annual report.
How a market slump may be helping Singapore’s stance against retail crypto
One door closes and another opens, which seems to be what’s happening in Singapore as the crypto price slump restructures the trading environment.
Crypto lending platforms, DeFi seem to be having an Animal Farm moment
In a decentralized society envisaged under crypto, everybody is reportedly equal. But as the market strains under considerable stress, it’s showing some are more equal than others.
New York City pride parade will also be marching through the metaverse
LGBT event organizers see the metaverse as technology of the emerging Web3.0 world that opens doors and opportunities for marginalized communities.
Calls for policing NFTs gain ground as fraud cases rise
A perceived failure to address increasing fraud in the NFT industry prompts calls for regulation and the adoption of a more centralized approach to weed out bad actors.
STEPN’ing it up with crypto move-to-earn
Enticed by promises of crypto rewards, Joel Stein hits the streets of Los Angeles with a beautiful NFT sneaker. What does he earn — and learn?