May 2021
How fractionalized NFTs could be the next frontier of investing
Where is the NFT market headed, and has the bubble burst? Consider a world where any asset could be tokenized and sold fractionally to investors.
Dogecoin price jumps to new ATH with Gemini support for DOGE
Dogecoin’s price is now at an all-time high of 69 cents, and the joke crypto is now bigger than Ford and Nintendo. Are DOGE investors high on Gemini?
April 2021
How open DeFi markets in Southeast Asia can drive financial inclusion
The ASEAN region has 290 million unbanked, and only 18% have access to credit. Here’s how decentralized finance (DeFi) can lift lives via mobile phones.
How to balance crypto investor protection and innovation in Hong Kong
US and Singapore have licensing laws that give investors more confidence in crypto firms. Stephen Richardson of Fireblocks urges Hong Kong to follow suit.
The NFT revolution is underway, and here’s what our future will look like
More than selling art and basketball mementos in a new way, NFTs can also transform copyright enforcement, royalties, real estate and financial markets.
How blockchain technology can improve trust in democratic elections
Loss of faith in elections may be at an all-time high around the world. Here is how blockchain voting and decentralization can restore public trust.
5 reasons why CBDCs and Facebook-backed Diem go hand-in-hand
When Diem launches and central banks roll out digital currencies, what role will each play? Here is a look at the world’s financial and payments future.
How Singapore transformed from fishing village to crypto powerhouse
The Lion City’s status as Asia’s crypto haven was no accident, writes Shaun Djie of Digix. What can other countries learn from Singapore’s fintech success?
Why Bitcoin’s carbon footprint may not be bad as you might think
As we observe Earth Day, let’s not scapegoat cryptocurrency. The truth about renewable energy and electricity use by banking and gold may surprise you.
Why new SEC chief Gary Gensler may be Biden’s gift to crypto industry
Are digital assets securities or commodities? Outdated laws offer no clarity, but US is now poised to reform blockchain regulations and lead world by example.
Ripple executives file to dismiss SEC lawsuit as XRP prices soar
Tailwind of legal wins propel XRP’s market cap past US$70 billion as Ripple CEO and chairman ask court to drop SEC’s charges against them.
How MPC can solve blockchain’s data privacy conundrum
Blockchain improves data protection but not confidentiality. Here’s why multi-party computation can be a solution, writes Kurt Nielsen of Partisia Blockchain.
New art and fashion NFT platforms coming to Hong Kong, Singapore
Welcome to crypto’s latest catwalk. Publisher of Vogue Singapore and a Hong Kong exchange unveil plans to turn up the heat on Asia’s NFT market.
Why DeFi will be the next big thing in global finance
Traditional finance is costly and inefficient, and too many people are left out. Could decentralized finance (DeFi) be the answer?
DeFi insurance: Why buy coverage for your digital assets?
Insurance policies for DeFi can cover losses from theft to smart contract issues. But do read the fine print — and know the industry is ‘self-regulated.’
5 questions investors must ask before buying Bitcoin or digital assets
How do cryptocurrency investors know whom to trust, avoid scams and not buy coins with a shady history? Gunnar Jaerv of First Digital Trust explains.
March 2021
How liquid staking can unlock cross-chain interoperability and DeFi value
The siloed nature of many older blockchains is holding back DeFi’s potential, writes Sarah Kim of Terra. But help with greater interoperability is on the horizon.
Looking past bitcoin: How tokenized real estate can diversify portfolios
Despite bitcoin’s new highs, BTC remains a volatile and risky investment. Are tokenized hard assets like real estate a better alternative for investors?
Does India have room for both bitcoin and a CBDC?
As debate rages over whether India should ban private cryptos in favor of a central bank digital currency, a case could be made that India needs both.
How blockchain can fight the scourge of synthetic identity fraud
Synthetic ID fraud is a new form of identity theft and a fast-growing crime. What is it, and what are the solutions? Rakesh Soni of LoginRadius explains.
China’s bitcoin miners flee Inner Mongolia ahead of crypto mining ban
One of world’s biggest bitcoin-producing regions will soon ban cryptocurrency mining to meet China’s clean air goals. Where will all those miners go?
2021 will be the tipping point for institutional investors in digital assets
In a 2021 report, the HashKey Group predicts that more than 50% of institutional and professional investors will have exposure to digital assets by the year’s end.
February 2021
Why crypto data aggregation will be essential to fintech in 2021
How will the rise in cryptocurrency drive banking and fintech innovation? Decentralized finance may offer a model, writes Christopher Brown of Zabo.
How the super rich are upending crypto’s DIY investment ethos
China, Hong Kong and Singapore are home to some of the world’s wealthiest investors. As they move into digital assets, how do their expectations differ?
Capitol riot: Is political extremism tarnishing blockchain by association?
Decentralized apps like DLive are gaining attention since the violent attack on the US Capitol. How will this affect the wider adoption of blockchain DApps?
How blockchain is transforming the investing and securities industry
Modern financial markets still rely on slow and inefficient plumbing from a bygone era, writes Oi Yee Choo of iSTOX. Here is how blockchain offers a system upgrade.
Will India be left behind in the digital currency race?
India is moving toward banning all cryptocurrency and creating a state-backed digital rupee. But Tesla’s big bitcoin buy-in may be giving lawmakers pause.
Is the Tesla-inspired bitcoin gold rush the sign of a rational market?
Before Tesla’s bitcoin moves, big money was already placing BTC bets. What are bitcoin’s long-term fundamentals? Geoff Morphy of Bitfarms explains.
As bitcoin hovers near all-time highs, what does it mean for investors?
2021 is already shaping up to be a very different bull market for bitcoin compared to the past, writes Kadan Stadelmann of Komodo. Here’s why.
Uproar over WhatsApp and user privacy shows need for new data economy
Sharing user data in exchange for free services is not necessarily a bad thing, writes Henri Pihkala of Streamr. The key is transparency and user consent.
January 2021
Facebook-backed Diem, now close to launch, is propelling crypto into the mainstream
Formerly named Libra, the Diem stablecoin is now awaiting regulatory approval, writes Ilia Maksimenka of PlasmaPay. What are Diem’s odds of success?
GameStop copycat rally pumps up Dogecoin, Ripple XRP and other cryptos
Small investors drove up Dogecoin’s price by 1,000% after the GameStop saga, but money quickly left—and then Ripple’s XRP and Stellar prices went up.
Bitcoin and other crypto trends to watch in 2021
How high will bitcoin prices go — and will 2021 be the year of the bitcoin ETF and advanced crypto derivatives? Jay Hao of OKEx looks to the future.
How blockchain can usher in new era in crypto regulatory compliance
When it comes to issues over crypto regulations and compliance, answers could be found in blockchain technology, writes Rachid Ajaja of AllianceBlock.
What are the secrets of the most successful blockchain startups?
Why do some blockchain startups prosper and others fail? A industry expert shares insights and advice for blockchain business success in 2021 and beyond.
New 2021 bitcoin price report forecasts risks and opportunities
What is bitcoin’s true value, and what are its longer-term price projections? New AAX analysis ‘Bitcoin in 2021’ offers investors a look beyond the horizon.
Why crypto’s decentralized exchanges will continue their rise in 2021
Do you trust third parties with your finances? Alex Zha of MXC Exchange explains the benefits of decentralized exchanges (DEX) and problems that remain.
December 2020
Bitcoin became respectable this year. Will it go mainstream in 2021?
Covid’s chaos spurred systemic changes in global finance, a need for a hedge and bitcoin’s dramatic reputational shift, writes Tim Bos of ShareRing.
A CBDC for Indonesia would bridge the old world with the new
Bank Indonesia now sees the value of stablecoins and digital currency. Here’s how a central bank-backed digital rupiah could lift the nation of 18,000 islands.
How global fragmentation is holding back blockchain’s progress
To bridge regulatory and technical gaps, World Economic Forum and Global Blockchain Business Council join forces to promote global blockchain standards.
What’s next for Ethereum 2.0 after the Beacon Chain?
Eth2 will run in parallel with Ethereum 1 for now. For how much longer, and will this affect ether inflation and block rewards? Konstantin Richter of Blockdaemon explains.
What is the mood of India when it comes to cryptocurrencies?
Now that India no longer has a crypto banking ban, what are Indian attitudes toward cryptocurrency? CoinDCX surveys 11,000 people for answers.
November 2020
Why cloud computing puts companies at risk of hacks and data breaches
As the world relies ever more on cloud servers, security gaps are widening, too. Confidential computing can bolster cyber security, writes Amit Ghosh of R3.
What are the SEC and OCC’s thoughts on digital asset regulations?
An all-star panel of top cryptocurrency policymakers and other blockchain experts explain the US regulatory system for digital assets and what lies ahead.
Why DeFi is here to stay and its takeover in finance inevitable
Decentralized digital access to financial services like cryptocurrency trading, lending and borrowing is the wave of the future, writes James Wo of ETC Labs
Everything you want to know about Bitcoin, Ethereum and DeFi for 2021
What is BTC’s price forecast, and will ‘Ethereum killers’ succeed? A brain trust of 30 experts mines the biggest cryptocurrency questions for answers.
Is DeFi’s breathtaking rise just like the ICO bubble?
DeFi’s explosive gains in 2020 may look like the 2017 ICO craze all over again. But Chyna Qu of DeFiner explains why the two are very different.
Why cybersecurity will be DeFi and blockchain’s next big challenge
DeFi’s explosive growth may be the cryptocurrency world’s biggest story in 2020. But is the industry ignoring risks and cybersecurity gaps?
Hong Kong and now Australia heating up global digital currency race
China’s DCEP digital yuan and new US interest in digital dollar are fueling sense of urgency on CBDCs — as blockchain firm ConsenSys paves the way.
Cryptocurrency’s carbon footprint is massive and not sustainable
Bitcoin and crypto mining now use more energy than some nations. To help lead fintech into a greener future, Ripple pledges to be carbon net-zero by 2030.
October 2020
Why India’s crypto industry needs regulatory clarity more than ever
India is now a vibrant cryptocurrency hub, but its future remains uncertain. Sathvik Viswanath of Unocoin explains what’s holding back the nation of 1.3 billion.
Cities are smarter than ever. But at what cost to privacy?
Smart cities could boost sustainability and quality of urban life, but some worry about privacy and data security. Can blockchain offer trusted solutions?
Why DeFi’s exponential growth is not a bubble and will ‘keep soaring’
Risks, bugs and mistakes are a necessary part of DeFi’s evolution — just like the early days of the internet, writes Justin Banon of Boson Protocol
How China is embracing blockchain, from DCEP to BSN
Blockchain has become a national priority in China’s public and private sectors, in contrast to many Western governments’ approach to cryptocurrency.
As nations race CBDCs to market, are they repeating mistakes of the past?
Digital currency efforts now mirror global economic rivalries, with China’s DCEP leading the pack. Central banks would be wise to avoid these pitfalls.
US regulators are finally lining up over digital assets
A recent flurry of US regulatory activity is helping legitimize the digital assets space. Here’s the latest on SEC, FINRA, CFTC and OCC’s new level of coordination.
Why blockchain and crowdfunding are mutually beneficial technologies
The $14 billion global crowdfunding market is expected to triple by 2026. Here’s how blockchain is fueling this trend.
September 2020
How bitcoin could offer a hedge as markets hit peak dislocation
Massive public spending, supply chain disruptions and ballooning debt are a volatile mix for investors. Here’s why bitcoin should be part of a balanced portfolio in this pandemic economy.
Why cryptocurrency exchanges need more regulations to protect investors
Being dodgy about office location and faking volume data are all part of Asian crypto exchanges’ Wild West ethos. What are the alternatives for investors?
What China’s New Era politics means for the digital economy and decentralized finance
Access to China’s cryptocurrency market will accelerate as long as the government can keep out criminal activity, writes James Gillingham of Finxflo.
The World War of Digital Currencies: Is it too late for South Korea?
As China muscles DCEP to market and the U.S. enlists MIT for a future digital dollar, South Korea struggles to find its place in the crypto economy.
DeFi is crypto’s latest craze, and it may soon challenge traditional banks
Excessive money printing and near-zero returns on bonds are making investors flock to fancy cryptocurrency derivatives and 8% yields. What’s the catch?
Why blockchain is the trust-building technology our post-Covid world needs
By promoting transparency and data security, blockchain is poised to transform international trade. Dr. Geoff Jiang of Ant Group explains how.
Will Ethereum 2.0’s launch be blockchain’s iPhone moment?
Released this week after much anticipation, Eth2 could finally become “the world’s computer” that the original Ethereum aspired to be. What challenges lie ahead?
August 2020
Why decentralization and democratic governance are blockchain myths
Many blockchain protocols claim to be decentralized, but industry practices show the opposite. Even Bitcoin is largely controlled by a few.
Where in the world are the fintech startups?
Global fintech funding is growing in some surprising areas and signals potential for disruption. Which countries top the list?
What the Twitter hack reveals about the need for digital identity security
Could blockchain technology and decentralized ID verification have prevented all those VIP Twitter accounts from being commandeered for a bitcoin scam?
Ethereum at the crossroads: Where does the popular blockchain go from here?
As Ethereum moves toward its 2.0 upgrade, here is a reflection on the open-source platform’s transformational impact on the blockchain ecosystem.
China’s DCEP will be the world’s Sputnik money moment
China’s CBDC — the world’s first major government-issued digital currency — could launch this year. Are we ready for its financial and geopolitical impact?
Crypto tax in Australia: what investors need to know
Australians can buy bitcoin from post offices and use cryptocurrency in soda vending machines. But are confusing tax policies discouraging wider adoption?
July 2020
How blockchain can transform telehealth and Covid patient care
Covid is accelerating telemedicine and patient data protection needs. Here’s how digital ledger applications can take healthcare to the next level.
How tokenization via blockchain can digitize assets and open up investment opportunities
Cryptocurrencies are enabling illiquid assets — like real estate, art and even pro athlete contracts — to be tokenized. What does this mean for investors?