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EU’s MiCA crypto rules published in official journal

The Official Journal of the European Union published on Friday the European Union’s landmark Markets in Crypto Assets law (MiCA), stating that the regulation would enter into force in 20 days from the date of publication.

Bitcoin rises, Ether slips, most top 10 cryptos begin to pick up after SEC crackdown

Bitcoin rose and Ether fell, while most top 10 cryptos inched up following the U.S. SEC’s lawsuits against Binance and Coinbase.

Binance.US suspends U.S. dollar deposits, to pause fiat withdrawal channels

Binance.US, a cryptocurrency trading platform set up by Binance chief Changpeng Zhao to serve U.S. clients, said on Friday that it has suspended U.S. dollar deposits to protect customers amid intensifying regulatory pressure.

The Moment3 to launch NFTs with Alibaba’s e-commerce platform AliExpress

AliExpress, the global online platform of China’s e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, will launch NFTs on June 25 working with NFT project “the Moment3!”.

The grand experiment in crypto compliance: What will the future look like?

From US crackdowns on Binance and Coinbase to new business-friendlier frameworks in Hong Kong and Europe, seismic shifts in crypto regulations are under way.

Bitcoin, Ether rise amid ‘swoon-soar’ trading after SEC lawsuits against Binance, Coinbase

Bitcoin fails to break US$27,000 ceiling. Binance’s BNB gained 2%, even as latest SEC filing alleges customer funds were moved to private accounts, a charge Binance rejected.

Pudgy Penguins CEO unveils licensing platform, pushes for NFT revenue beyond airdrops

Pudgy Penguins CEO Luca Netz says he aims to revolutionize the NFT marketplace, shifting focus from creating virtual assets out of “thin air” to generating real-world revenue via licensing.

SEC Chair Gary Gensler offered to advise Binance in 2019: CNBC

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler allegedly offered to serve as an advisor to Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, in 2019, according to a CNBC report on Wednesday that cited documents filed by the regulator. 

Binance moved billions of dollars in client funds to accounts of company officials, SEC says in new filing

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has submitted a new court filing to support its lawsuit against the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance.

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.

Bitcoin, Ether gain while most top 10 cryptos fall, pressured by SEC lawsuits

Bitcoin and Ether rose but most top 10 cryptos were unable to escape the gravity of the SEC’s lawsuits against Binance and Coinbase.

Bitcoin falls below US$27,000; Ether, all top 10 cryptos slide amid SEC lawsuit fallout

The SEC lawsuits against Binance and Coinbase have sent alt coins tumbling. Binance’s BNB lost 15.7% over the past week.

U.S. court orders SEC to respond to Coinbase’s rulemaking petition

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been ordered on Tuesday by the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit to respond to cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase’s pending petition for rulemaking within seven days. 

Bitcoin, Ether fall; most top 10 cryptos rise following SEC’s lawsuit against Coinbase

Most top 10 cryptos rebounded, despite the SEC suing Coinbase exchange a day after it sued Binance’s U.S. arm.

Swift, Chainlink to test blockchain token transfers with at least 12 major banks

The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (Swift) and blockchain data provider Chainlink will work with more than 12 major banks across the world to test the use of existing Swift infrastructure to transfer tokenized assets across public and private blockchain networks, Swift said on Tuesday.  See related article: SWIFT, Chainlink announce cross-chain interoperability partnership […]

China state media covers SEC’s lawsuit against Binance, CEO Changpeng Zhao

CCTV, China’s largest national TV broadcaster, ran about a minute-long segment on Tuesday flagging SEC’s lawsuit against Binance and its founder Changpeng Zhao.

USDC stablecoin issuer Circle obtains Singapore license for digital payments, others

Circle Singapore said Wednesday it has received a Major Payment Institution license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Why lack of diversification is cripping to the crypto market

Small cryptos often rise and fall with BTC and ETH — the market’s two biggest players. The concentration risk is profound, and here’s why you should care.

Bitcoin, Ether most other top crypto bounce back even as Coinbase joins Binance as SEC lawsuit target

Nearly all top 10 tokens rebounded as investors look beyond U.S. regulator’s lawsuits against two of the world’s most influential crypto exchanges.

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

SEC sues Coinbase for violating securities rules a day after Binance lawsuit

The U.S. SEC sued Coinbase, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the U.S., for allegedly breaching securities rules, less than 24 hours after the regulator sued Binance on similar charges. 

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.
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MUFG enables bank-backed stablecoin issuance amid new Japanese regulations

MUFG, Japan’s leading bank, is pioneering the crypto industry by supporting stablecoin issuance on the Progmat Coin platform, offering an alternative route for entry and exit in the volatile cryptocurrency market.

SEC targets US$115 billion of crypto following lawsuit against Binance: Bloomberg

The U.S. SEC has extended the list of cryptocurrencies it considers unregistered securities to cover US$115 billion worth of tokens following its Monday lawsuit against crypto exchange Binance, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.

Ledger is proving the perils of sacrificing security on the altar of user experience

Ledger’s attempt to simplify self-custody and key recovery triggered a community revolt. Was this inevitable or could Ledger have sidestepped this fiasco?

Bitcoin, Ether skid; BNB drops more than 10% after U.S. securities regulator sues Binance

All top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies took a sharp fall Tuesday morning in Asia, after the SEC sued Binance over alleged securities violations.

Binance, US platform, CEO face SEC lawsuit over alleged securities violations

The U.S. regulator alleges Binance and its leader of unregistered offers, sale of tokens, defrauding investors and manipulating trade volumes.

JPMorgan teams up with Indian banks for blockchain-based settlements: Bloomberg

JPMorgan has reportedly launched a pilot project with top private lenders in India for interbank dollar transaction settlements through its blockchain platform, Onyx. 

Bitcoin dips below US$27,000, Litecoin biggest loser

Bitcoin drops below US$27,000 on Monday amid mixed crypto market. Litecoin, BNB see losses while XRP, Tron, Solana gain.

Montenegro court approves second bail request for Terra-Luna founder Do Kwon

A court in Montenegro approved a second bail request for Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwon, who faces allegations of using fake passports.

Bitcoin little-changed around US$27,000, Ether treads water; Solana, XRP gain

Bitcoin, Ether traded little changed Monday morning in Asia, along with most other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies. However, both Solana and XRP rose.
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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.

Solana’s NFT sales dive as Bitcoin Ordinals surge

A significant drop in Solana’s monthly NFT sales coincides with a boom in Bitcoin NFTs. Experts believe Bitcoin could soon challenge Ethereum’s dominance in the market.

Bitcoin rises above US$27,000, Litecoin leads gains among top 10 cryptos

Bitcoin gained 1.08% on Friday afternoon and Ether strengthened 1.78%.

Japan’s ANA airline launches NFT marketplace, sees future in metaverse projects

Japan’s All Nippon Airways, or ANA Group, has launched a non-fungible token platform known as “ANA GranWhale NFT MarketPlace” to trade art and photograph collectibles through its metaverse subsidiary ANA NEO, the company tweeted on Thursday.

What’s holding back DeFi and keeping the masses away

DeFi has the potential to revolutionize finance, but hacks, poor user experience, and a lack of a regulations make many wary, writes Arthur Firstov of Mercuryo.

Bitcoin dips under US$27,000, Ether falls, Litecoin leads winners, U.S. equities bounce back

Bitcoin fell Friday morning in Asia to trade below US$27,000. Ether and most other top 10 non-stablecoin tokens traded flat to lower. Litecoin gained.

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.

Bitcoin drops below US$27,000 with Cardano leading losses

Bitcoin fell 1.36% to US$26,805 in 24 hours. Ether slipped 0.82% to US$1,854.

Bitcoin mining difficulty rises 3.4% to all-time high as hashrate jumps

Bitcoin’s mining difficulty level rose 3.4% on Thursday to an all-time high, as the network’s hashrate also increased to a record high.

What if troubled companies like Twitter can be run by a DAO?

Decentralized autonomous organizations are the future of business, writes Lomesh Dutta. The key is designing them to avoid management and voting pitfalls.

Bitcoin logs monthly loss, Ether retreats, XRP leads losers, U.S. equities slide

Bitcoin fell on Thursday morning in Asia to post the first monthly loss of the year. Ether and all other top 10 non-stablecoin tokens also traded lower.

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.

Bitcoin, Ether in red, XRP lone gainer in top 10

A downturn impacted Bitcoin and Ether, along with the majority of top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies in Wednesday’s Hong Kong trading session. XRP remained the sole exception, maintaining its positive performance from the morning.

Tether stablecoin issuer taps Uruguay for Bitcoin mining using renewable energy

Tether, the issuer of the world’s most traded stablecoin, will invest in power generation and Bitcoin mining in Uruguay to tap the country’s renewable energy resources, the company said on Tuesday.

UAE and Hong Kong central banks to collaborate on crypto regulation

The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority have agreed to strengthen cooperation in regulating virtual assets.

Bybit crypto exchange follows Binance in exiting Canada amid tightened rules

Dubai-headquartered Bybit said it will exit the Canadian crypto market and stop accepting new accounts from Wednesday, citing a “recent regulatory development.”

Bitcoin, Ether flat; XRP jumps; U.S. equity futures mixed ahead of debt ceiling vote

Bitcoin traded flat on Wednesday morning in Asia, after briefly breaching US$28,000. Ether dipped while other top 10 non-stablecoin tokens traded mixed.

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.

Ethereum NFTs now transferable to Bitcoin

Ordinals’ BRC-721E token standard is set to introduce NFT transfers from Ethereum to Bitcoin through a burn and claim process.

XRP edges past Bitcoin, Ether with Tuesday’s largest gains

Bitcoin and Ether inched up during Tuesday afternoon trading hours in Hong Kong, while the rest of the top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies by market capitalization were mixed.

U.S. congressman says crypto mining tax scrapped in debt ceiling deal

A proposed tax on electricity used by cryptocurrency miners in the U.S. has been scrapped in the deal to raise the country’s debt ceiling, according to Republican congressman Warren Davidson.

Bitcoin, Ether dip; XRP rises; U.S. equity futures gain as debt ceiling worries fade

Bitcoin fell in Tuesday morning trading in Asia. Ether and most other top 10 non-stablecoin tokens also logged losses, while XRP gained.

How NFT-financing can reshape the landscape of lending and borrowing

NFT-backed lending and borrowing can unlock liquidity and expand investment opportunities. Here are the best practices — and risks.

Hong Kong Web3 industry forms new associations to push crypto hub ambition

Leaders in Hong Kong’s Web3 industry announced the formation of two new associations, Hong Kong Licensed Virtual Assets Association (HKLVAA) and Web3 Harbour, on Monday.

Singapore’s Temasek cuts employee compensation for failed FTX investment decision

Temasek, Singapore’s state-owned investment firm, said on Monday that it has cut the pay of senior management and the investment team involved in the decision to invest in the now-bankrupt FTX cryptocurrency exchange.

Why are so many VCs and startups flocking back to banks?

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and others led to predictions of big shifts away from centralized finance. James Wo examines why that hasn’t happened yet.

Beijing releases Web3 white paper, highlights challenges in talent, rules

Beijing’s local government on Saturday released a white paper outlining plans and challenges for development of the city’s Web 3.0 industry.

Bitcoin back above US$28,000 as cryptos rebound on positive debt ceiling talks

Bitcoin moved back above US$28,000 on Monday morning in Asia, leading a rally among all top 10 non-stablecoin tokens. Ether reclaimed the US$1,900 level.

Bitcoin and Ethereum: Two titans battle for NFT supremacy

Unpacking the NFT disparity at Veecon & BTC Miami 2023: established ETH vs emerging BTC. CryptoSlam seeks to bridge the gap.

Weekly Market Wrap: Bitcoin weighed down by debt ceiling uncertainty

Bitcoin traded above US$26,000 as the uncertainty around the U.S. debt ceiling negotiations caused global concerns over a potential governmental default. Crypto markets will stay muted until a deal is reached, Industry experts told Forkast.

Most top 10 cryptos up, despite looming fears of US default

Bitcoin and Ether rose during afternoon trading in Asia on Friday, along with most of the top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, excluding the Solana and Tron tokens.

Warren Buffet-backed Nubank, Visa, Mastercard to join Brazil’s CBDC pilot

Banco Central do Brasil, the central bank of Brazil, has selected 14 institutions to participate in the pilot run of the country’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) named Real Digital.

China: Zhengzhou City proposes metaverse plan

China’s Zhengzhou city issued a set of policy proposals Wednesday to support metaverse companies, including a 10 billion yuan (US$1.42 billion) metaverse fund.

Binance launches NFT loan service to rival Blend

Binance Marketplace, Binance’s NFT trading platform, is launching a new service Friday where users can loan Ether by using NFTs as collateral.

South Korea: Former Coinone executive pleads guilty to bribery

A former executive at Coinone pleaded guilty on Thursday to accepting bribes in exchange for listing certain cryptocurrencies on the platform.

Nvidia chip boom a boost for AI-related cryptos

The stock price boost for tech giant Nvidia on the back of an AI chip boom has sent AI-related cryptocurrencies on a surge.

Why GameFi is the future of the new player economy

Opinions about Web3 gaming remain divided, but it’s undeniable that NFTs and GameFi offer players big opportunities, writes Ramona Ciocea of Protokol.

AI-themed cryptos rise; NFT lenders duke it out; US debt talks continue

Surge of interest in AI chipmaker Nvidia extends to crypto, Binance and Blur vie for top NFT lender spot, while uncertainty abounds over U.S. debt talks.

In battle to be Asia’s crypto hub, which city will emerge victorious?

Top blockchain and crypto news: Asia’s crypto hub race. Is US debt ceiling fight a boon or a bane for crypto? China’s red carpet for metaverse investment.

Hong Kong is world’s most crypto-ready jurisdiction, new study claims

Hong Kong is the most crypto-ready jurisdiction in the world, based on the number of blockchain startups per 100,000 people and the number of crypto ATMs proportional to the population, according to a new study by forex education platform Forex Suggest.