February 2022
Will Bitcoin and Ethereum make a comeback in 2022?
Russia’s war on Ukraine is battering crypto prices, but what does the more distant future hold for BTC and ETH? Fintech experts offer predictions.
Binance’s investment in Forbes is a wake-up call for the crypto industry
When the world’s biggest crypto exchange acquires a major stake in the business publication it once sued for defamation, should we worry?
Why digital assets are poised to disrupt philanthropy
Charitable giving in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is growing by leaps and bounds. Michael B. Greenwald and Logan Weber explain the risks and benefits.
NFTs can upend the music business. Artists should take note
Blockchain technology allows musicians to sell songs directly and earn more per song, writes Adi Ben-Ari of Applied Blockchain.
How DeFi’s user interface problems are deterring widespread adoption
DeFi can put investors at risk if they don’t understand how it works, writes Korapat Arunanondchai. Here’s how to improve user experience.
Will the new multi-chain world ignite another ‘DeFi summer’?
2022 will see a flowering ecosystem of blockchains working together, writes Will Harborne of DeversiFi. Here’s what the multi-chain future will look like.
Forget synthetic wombs. Give women more opportunities in DeFi and Web3
Vitalik Buterin’s advocacy of synthetic wombs misses the point, writes Izzy Howell of Cypher. Here’s why crypto can do more for gender equality.
Will the growing regulatory heat on stablecoins stifle innovation?
As stablecoins face pressure to adopt traditional safeguards, the industry’s efforts to self-regulate should not be overlooked, writes Charlie Martin of Gro.
Fan friction: What’s keeping influencers and artist communities from Web3?
The new token economy offers unparalleled opportunities for content creators, writes Weiwei Geng of Unite.io. Improving user experience will be key.
How DeFi can kickstart a sustainable post-pandemic economy
Decentralized finance has not yet done much real-world good, writes Ben Sheppard. But putting it to work on small infrastructure projects can do just that.
What I learned from my role in digitizing the yuan
CBDCs are vulnerable to hacking and the powers of quantum computing, cybersecurity expert Amnon Samid writes. Central banks must heed the warning.
Will blockchain’s future be cross-chain or multi-chain?
Vitalik Buterin caused an uproar over his recent criticisms of blockchain bridges. Here is a rebuttal in support of this nascent technology.
Crypto adoption may rise as industry self-regulates
Crypto regulations are lagging the market’s needs, and the industry should help create order to gain greater public trust, writes Imgesu Cetin of Defy Trends.
January 2022
Why governments have powerful incentives to develop digital currencies
CBDCs can increase financial inclusion and prevent crime, according to blockchain expert Tiana Laurence. What’s not to like about state-backed digital money?
Building a blockchain ecosystem today for the metaverse of tomorrow
The metaverse could be life-changing for the world’s unbanked, writes Pavel Matveev of Wirex. Interoperability between the real and virtual worlds will be key.
How to avoid regulatory pitfalls in an increasingly ‘cryptoized’ world
Crypto regulations run the gamut from wait-and-see to total prohibition. What are the dos and don’ts of smart regulation?
Where does Singapore’s crypto policy go from here?
Despite Singapore’s reputation as a crypto-friendly hub, the truth is more complicated. Is the city-state purposely keeping out small companies?
How creators can solve the talent bottleneck in gaming
The gaming industry suffers from a talent shortage, but blockchain technology and Gen Z’s obsession with self-expression are relieving cost pressures.
The rising tide of decentralization in mass movements
Alternative approaches to governance have never been more important, writes Alexander Filatov of TON Labs. Here is how DAOs can change the world.
BTFD is more than a meme — it’s a revolution
Savvy cryptocurrency investors now know what the biggest players have long done, writes Michal Cymbalisty of Domination Finance — ‘buying the f* dip!’
This is what DeFi banking will look like in the future
Traditional banks are not going away and decentralized finance is here to stay, writes Edan Yago of Sovryn. Here’s how an amalgam of the two can take shape.
Arming up for a better fight against crypto-related crime
The current technologies in use do little to deter crypto money laundering, writes Dr. Mark van Staalduinen. What can nations do about this?
Is the CFTC expanding its powers over crypto without authorization from Congress?
The CFTC is asserting greater regulatory powers over the crypto industry than ever before. But does the agency have the statutory backing to do so?
What are the 3 key trends in cybersecurity in 2022?
Cryptocurrency is fueling crimes like malicious mining and ransomware attacks, writes Andrew Brandt of Sophos. What can a company do to protect itself?
Ignore the rise of Web3 credit unions at your peril
Today’s consumers are looking for more equitable financial services, writes Sean Rach of hi. Here’s how blockchain can offer a nonprofit banking alternative.
Happy birthday, Bitcoin! You’re still killing it
Love it or hate it, Bitcoin can be a powerful force for good — and it’s here to stay, writes Peter Vessenes, co-founder of The Bitcoin Foundation.
Bitcoin at 13: The new age of crypto
With wider acceptance as a financial asset, a teenage Bitcoin may not see the explosive 200% average annual returns of the past, but also may experience less price volatility.
December 2021
How to protect crypto privacy in the age of regulation
It’s a myth that crypto transactions are anonymous, writes Warren Paul Anderson of Discreet Labs. Confusing anonymity with privacy is what causes trouble.
How DeFi is devouring traditional finance, bit by bit
2021 will go down as the year the DeFi giant woke up, writes Derek Alia of Futureswap. What lies in store for decentralized finance in the year to come?
Will 2022 be the year of crypto regulation?
Global shifts are underway in crypto regulations, writes Huong Hauduc of Bequant. How might the political and market forces play out next year?
Are liquidity miners mercenary capitalists or infrastructure providers?
Liquidity mining plays a unique role in the DeFi ecosystem. How does it work?
How blockchain can transform the global shipping sector
Blockchain promotes trust and can greatly cut transaction costs, writes Edmund To of GSBN. So why is the shipping industry still clinging to paper documents?
Regulators and the problem of unstable stablecoins
Federal regulators have turned their sights on stablecoins. But is the attempt to tame this digital currency too late?
Running on empty: How NFT drops drive up gas fees — and transaction anxiety
Gas fee unpredictability is a highly problematic aspect of the Ethereum ecosystem, writes Matt Cutler of Blocknative. What are the solutions?
Why the metaverse is a trillion dollar opportunity
Metizens can already attend concerts, visit art galleries and earn money in a metaverse, writes Joe Caselin of Hex Trust. What’s coming next?
How sports and crypto are knocking it out of the park
The billion-dollar intersection of sports and crypto is a big win for all, writes Ben Armstrong, aka BitBoy Crypto. Here’s how to make sense of this seismic cultural shift.
Gaming’s new tipping point into metaverse matters
Gaming is increasingly defined by NFTs, play-to-earn and the metaverse, writes Charlie Baillie of Ampverse. Will Asia continue to lead the hottest gaming trends?
Here comes the crypto derivatives boom
Investment banks’ hunger for a new revenue stream is likely to drive up the popularity and registration of crypto derivatives products.
How crypto ETFs can open doors for traditional finance to enter DeFi
Crypto ETFs make it easy to invest in digital assets without the complexities, writes Kevin Tai of Linear Finance. Imagine what a crypto index can do.
The digital yuan’s de-dollarization
Why the Federal Reserve and other major central banks are likely to speed up development of retail CBDCs.
What lies ahead for the creator economy in 2022?
A new normal forced by the pandemic is bringing out a wave of creators and influencers for a decentralized economy, writes Alex Shkor of DEIP. Here’s what to expect in the year to come.
November 2021
Why a decentralized metaverse is Web 3.0’s new frontier
The metaverse is a convergence of the physical and digital worlds, writes Gloria Wu of Ontology. How can the metaverse escape Web 2.0’s failings?
How Asia’s generative NFT art is reshaping the global creative culture
As the NFT zeitgeist sweeps the world, the industry’s beating heart is in Asia, writes David Tng of TZ APAC. Here’s how Asia’s NFTs are changing business models.
How high fashion is waking up to blockchain’s possibilities
Luxury fashion houses set trends that trickle down to the rest of culture. Here’s where brands like Prada and Burberry are headed on the blockchain curve.
How to survive an IRS crypto tax audit
The US Internal Revenue Service is taking a hard look at cryptocurrency transactions to crack down on tax dodgers. How can crypto holders protect themselves?
Hedge fund rockstar sets the stage for the next NFT wave
The digital print of the U.S. Constitution grew an estimated 35% in value by the time Ken Griffin made the winning bid, surely ushering in more NFT interest.
Are surveillance and taxation coming soon to a blockchain near you?
The US Infrastructure Act has provisions that should make crypto advocates shudder, writes Alex Shipp of Offshift. Who will stand up for crypto’s core values?
Bitcoin hoarding, another sign crypto is an inflation hedge
Bitcoin’s scarcity premium puts crypto into direct competition with gold and treasuries.
How will CBDCs benefit economies in Southeast Asia?
Central banks around the world are exploring digital currencies, writes Aymeric Salley of StraitsX. Here’s why Southeast Asia may be especially ripe for them.
What are the challenges to regulating DeFi?
Developing regulations for decentralized finance is easier said than done. Attorneys Victor Ho, Andre Da Roza and Saranpaal Calais discuss the many legal and practical hurdles.
How charities can use NFTs to amp up fundraising from viral content
Charities are just beginning to explore the potential of NFTs, writes Billy Sebell of XinFin Network. Here’s how NFTs can help raise big money beyond artwork auctions.
Scams are bullish for crypto
After recent scams were uncovered involving Walmart and Kroger, and Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin, why did the stock prices fall while the crypto prices rallied?
How is the launch of Bitcoin futures ETFs affecting crypto mining?
After the SEC approved a Bitcoin futures ETF, the cost of crypto mining rigs jumped. Coincidence? Varit Bulakul of The Brooker Group explains.
3 themes driving institutional adoption of digital assets
What makes 2021’s roaring crypto market different from 2017’s are the banks and VCs piling in, writes Calvin Shen of Hex Trust. What’s behind their crypto adoption?
What are the digital assets powering the DeFi revolution?
Digital assets are disrupting financial services in ways not seen since the Middle Ages, writes Alex Tapscott of Ninepoint Partners. Here is the taxonomy for the future of finance.
Disrupting the status quo: Why the world needs decentralization
The familiarity of centralized systems may feel comforting, but decentralized technologies like blockchain are the wave of the future, writes Corey Petty of Status.
The Bitcoin-energy connection intensifies
Equities and Bitcoin have a clearly demonstrated bond, but now oil is strengthening its relationship to crypto, too
How DeFi regulation can propel the next economic revolution
DeFi is here to stay, but regulations are still lacking. Jason Blick of EQIBank explores the challenges and how authorities can move forward.
How subscription-based social media could lead to DLT’s mass adoption
Pay-for-play on Web 3.0 will instigate seismic shifts from centralized social media to community-driven platforms, writes Solo Ceesay of Calaxy. How would it work?
Scams now plague the NFT space. What can be done to stop them?
The big-money world of NFTs is also attracting hackers, thieves and con artists. How do you know if that Ape NFT or digital Banksy is fake?
Why blockchain is the operating system of the digital age
Blockchain has achieved platform status, writes Don Tapscott of Blockchain Research Institute. Get ready for the ‘trivergence’ that will shake up the world.
October 2021
13 years after Bitcoin’s whitepaper, what would Satoshi say?
Bitcoin is growing up in ways not imagined in Satoshi Nakamoto’s 2008 writings that gave birth to it. How will Bitcoin’s future unfold?
How can we better protect digital assets and guard against hackers?
As Asia warms to crypto, cyber attacks are growing in sophistication, writes Shahnawaz Backer of F5. What can be done to thwart bad actors?
Bitcoin’s (Con)Tango
The success of the first U.S. Bitcoin futures ETF presents a challenge to investors when futures trade too far ahead of actual prices.
What are the risks of recreating reality in the metaverse?
New virtual worlds are full of opportunities, writes Sandra Helou of Zilliqa. But what if real-world problems get magnified in the metaverse?
How Australia’s National Blockchain Roadmap sets an example for the world
The Australian government sees blockchain’s enormous benefits and is now actively developing the technology, writes Chami Akmeemana. What can other countries learn from this?
A radically different financial architecture is here. Who will own it?
DeFi is a real-world experiment testing out a new model for finance, writes Alex Grebnev of Oxygen. What is the future of banking without Wall Street?
How to make sense of the hot new digital assets, like Bored Apes? Think: Lego blocks
Money, culture and community are now converging in NFTs and the token economy, writes Lily Z. King. Welcome to a new world where ‘money Lego’ meets ‘culture Lego.’
How Singapore’s crypto regulations are shaping its DeFi space
Singapore is a major crypto hub. But for whom? In this primer, Malcolm Tan explains the island-state’s regulatory evolution and which groups are no longer in its favor.
What the coming Bitcoin-futures ETF bonanza means for investors
The first US Bitcoin futures EFT is set to begin trading today. Will this exchange-traded fund bring Bitcoin closer to the masses?
As regulators circle above, how should the DeFi industry respond?
Traditional finance evolved over centuries while DeFi is coming into its own in a few years, writes Adi Ben-Ari of Applied Blockchain. Are its risks inevitable?
Is DeFi at war with traditional finance, and should TradFi be scared?
Decentralized finance may look like it’s consuming TradFi, writes Will Hamilton of TCM Capital. But here’s why one won’t survive without the other.