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Will El Salvador’s lead on Bitcoin inspire others to follow suit?

The Central American nation is the first to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender. As many countries face similar issues of large unbanked population and high remittance fees, will others follow suit?

BlockFi files for Bitcoin spot ETF with SEC amid regulatory heat

New Jersey-based crypto banking services provider BlockFi and investment management firm Neuberger Berman jointly filed for a Bitcoin spot exchange-traded fund (ETF) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday. Fast facts In September, the U.S. got its first Bitcoin-linked ETF with the launch of ProShares Bitcoin Strategy Fund. But ProShares’ ETF was backed […]

Bitcoin and Ethereum prices soar to new all-time highs, crypto market now worth $3 trillion

BTC and ETH are surging to dizzying new heights today as part of a broader crypto market rally. What’s going on?

The Bitcoin-energy connection intensifies

Equities and Bitcoin have a clearly demonstrated bond, but now oil is strengthening its relationship to crypto, too

US$66 billion at stake but only mild interest in Bitcoin trial

The outcome of a Miami civil trial may uncover who Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto really was, and who owns his rumored US$66 billion in Bitcoin.

Bitcoin mining difficulty recovers to May level

Bitcoin miners saw another mining difficulty adjustment on Monday, with an increase of 7.85%, recovering to the level recorded in May, according to data from BTC.com. Fast facts The mining difficulty level is now at 21.66 trillion at block height 707,616, reflecting the most difficult level since a previous adjustment on May 13, the data show. The latest […]

Back to the future: Why Bitcoin is still a game-changer

Bitcoin is awakening humanity to its own sovereign capacities, says Ben Caselin of AAX. Here’s why the world’s first cryptocurrency is still at the cutting edge of finance and culture.

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?

Unraveling the mystery behind why Bitcoin prices are all over the place

Even the most reliable media can report wildly different crypto numbers. Forkast.News dives into DeFi math and crypto exchange economics to find out who’s right.

South Korea crypto debate heats up; Bitcoin mining ETF starts trading

South Korea crypto debate heats up, also Bitcoin mining ETF starts trading

New Australian ETF grants exposure to Bitcoin mining sector

Only two weeks after the Australia Securities Exchange approved a similar product, the Cosmos Global Digital Miners Access exchange-traded fund (ETF) launched on rival exchange Chi-X Australia today, granting exposure to globally listed digital asset mining and infrastructure companies. Fast facts Trading under the name “DIGA,” the fund tracks the Global Digital Miners Index, designed […]

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.

Tesla’s trillion-dollar triumph — and its bond with Bitcoin

Top blockchain and crypto news: Is Tesla’s turbocharge a boost for Bitcoin? Mastercard’s Bakkt with a new crypto deal. Chinese NFTs on knife-edge.

Byron Bay to host Australia’s largest Bitcoin mining operation — using green energy

While it may be known locally and domestically as a tourist hotspot and home to many Hollywood A-list celebrities, Australia’s coastal town of Byron Bay is set to become host to Australia’s biggest Bitcoin mining site— and it’s going to be powered by 100% renewable energy. Fast facts According to a company press release, local […]

Bitcoin propels crypto institutional inflows to record $1.5B

Crypto investment products saw record inflows last week of US$1.47 billion, with Bitcoin accounting for 99% of the inflows, according to digital assets fund manager CoinShares. Total crypto assets under management also reached a new peak of US$79.2 billion. Fast facts Bitcoin investment products saw record inflows of US$1.45 billion last week. “The record inflows […]

Walmart quietly installs 200 Bitcoin ATMs with Coinstar, Coinme

In another sign of increased adoption of the world’s leading cryptocurrency, Walmart has installed 200 Bitcoin ATMs in stores across the U.S. in a partnership between Coinstar and Coinme, according to reporting from Reuters. Fast facts The pilot program involves Coinstar, best known for its machines that allow customers to exchange U.S. coins for paper […]

2nd U.S. Bitcoin futures ETF starts trading today, and a 3rd will launch next week

Valkyrie Bitcoin Strategy Fund, the second Bitcoin futures exchange traded fund (ETF) in the U.S., is set to start trading today, while VanEck’s Bitcoin futures ETF, which also received approval this week, is expected to launch early next week. Fast facts ProShares Bitcoin Strategy Fund, the first U.S. Bitcoin futures ETF, started trading on the […]

Bitcoin hits all-time high; Lotte World opens in metaverse

Bitcoin hits all-time high, also Lotte World opens in metaverse

Bitcoin reaches new all-time price high, but in a very different market since last time

When the world’s largest cryptocurrency last reached a price high, China had yet to crack down on crypto mining, and there was no U.S. Bitcoin futures ETF. What do changing market conditions mean for the growth of Bitcoin and the crypto industry?

Tesla records $51M Bitcoin impairment charge in Q3 despite profit growth

Electric carmaker Tesla Motors, Inc. (TSLA) on Wednesday reported that its third-quarter revenue surged 57% to US$13.76 billion from US$8.77 billion last year, and a net income of US$1.62 billion for the quarter. However, the company’s digital assets were hit by a Bitcoin-related impairment of US$51 million, down to US$1.26 billion in digital assets from […]

Bitcoin price hits all-time high after ProShares ETF debut

Bitcoin set another record as it traded above US$67,000 Wednesday, one day after ProShares’ first-day trading volume reached nearly US$1 billion

Bitcoin passes US$65,000 to an all-time high

On the morning after the successful debut of the first U.S.-approved Bitcoin futures exchange-traded fund, Bitcoin’s price surpassed $65,000, reaching an all-time high. Fast facts On Wednesday, Bitcoin reached a high of US$67,276.79, according to Coingecko. Bitcoin’s previous peak was US$64,804.72 on April 14, 2021. The first U.S. Bitcoin-futures exchange-traded fund, ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF, […]

Bitcoin inches toward all-time-high; Mining difficulty on the up

Bitcoin inches toward all-time-high on the back of the first Bitcoin futures ETF in the U.S.

Trick of the trade: Is SEC helping or reining in Bitcoin with ETF?

Top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: Bitcoin grows up. Facebook’s metaverse journey. China’s crypto investors find a workaround.

Bitcoin becomes harder to mine with latest adjustment

Bitcoin miners saw another mining difficulty adjustment on Tuesday, with an increase of 0.95%, according to data from BTC.com. Fast facts The mining difficulty level is now at 20.08 trillion at block height 705,600, reflecting the most difficult level since a previous adjustment on May 30, the data show. The latest adjustment follows six increases after four consecutive […]

Where are Bitcoin prices heading as 2021 ends? 50 experts offer predictions

As the price of Bitcoin hovers just under its all-time high, a report released today by Australia-based comparison site Finder.com is predicting that the world’s largest cryptocurrency will peak at US$80,021 later in 2021 before ending the year slightly lower at US$71,415. Fast facts Bitcoin was trading at US$62,294 at publishing time, just below its […]

Institutional investors pour into Bitcoin amid ETF excitement

As excitement grew over the imminent approval of Bitcoin futures exchange traded funds (ETFs) in the United States, Bitcoin investment products saw inflows of US$70 million last week — the fifth consecutive week of inflows — while Ethereum saw outflows of US$1 million, according to digital assets manager CoinShares. Fast facts According to CoinShares, the total […]

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?

Bitcoin nears all time high; HK exhibition showcases NFTs for good

Bitcoin nears all time high also HK exhibition showcases NFTs for good

U.S. leads in Bitcoin mining as China’s share drops to zero: Cambridge data

U.S., Kazakhstan, Russia take up largest Bitcoin hashrate shares as the exodus of Chinese miners continues.

Bitcoin bulls set for stampede amid six-figure forecasts

Top blockchain and crypto news: Big money heads for Bitcoin. How fishy are Squid Game NFTs? China mothballs mining.

Squid game NFTs traded on Opensea; Bitcoin on a roll

Squid game NFTs traded on Opensea, also Bitcoin on a roll

Bitcoin price poised to retest all-time high

Crypto market watchers tell Forkast.News what’s behind Bitcoin’s latest resurgence and predict Bitcoin’s price heading into Q4 2021.

SEC approves next best thing to a Bitcoin ETF in the U.S.

Editor’s Note On October 8, 2021, a Forkast.News article was published with the inaccurate SEO headline “Bitcoin Futures ETF Approved By SEC.” One of our readers rightfully identified this mistake. We have made the correction, and we apologize. Serving the community is our top priority, and Forkast.News would like to thank @scottmelker for bringing it […]

Crypto miners blamed for Kazakhstan’s power shortages; Bitcoin on the up

Kazakhstan blames its newly settled crypto miners for power shortages as South Korea’s largest exchange is accused of listing faulty tokens for profits.

Brazil seeks to make Bitcoin a legal ‘payment currency’

Brazil’s legislators are expected to discuss in the next few days a bill that seeks to establish a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, which may be a major step toward making Bitcoin a legal “payment currency” in the country if approved by the congress. Fast facts Bill 2.303/15, proposed by Federal Deputy Aureo Ribeiro, aims to […]

Bitcoin mining difficulty rose to the hardest since June

Bitcoin miners saw another mining difficulty adjustment on Tuesday, with an increase of 4.71%, according to data from BTC.com. Fast facts The mining difficulty level is now at 19.89 trillion at block height 703,584, reflecting the most difficult level since a previous adjustment on June 14, the data show. The latest increase follows five increases after four […]

Bitcoin price crosses $50K, but market dominance continues falling

This is the second time the world’s largest cryptocurrency has hit the mark in recent months. Does that mean this price point is here to stay?

U.S. Bank launches Bitcoin custody service as more banks enter crypto realm

U.S. Bank, the country’s fifth-largest retail bank, will now offer custody services for cryptocurrencies, starting with Bitcoin, the bank announced on Tuesday. New York Digital Investment Group, a fintech firm dedicated to Bitcoin, is the first crypto sub-custodian in the bank’s network of providers, the statement said. Fast facts The services are geared toward institutional […]

Bitcoin funds lead 7th consecutive week of inflows: CoinShares data

Bitcoin investment products saw inflows of US$69 million last week amid improving investor sentiment, according to digital assets fund manager CoinShares. Fast facts “We believe this decisive turnaround in sentiment is due to growing confidence in the asset class amongst investors and more accommodative statements from the U.S. Securities [and] Exchange Commission and the Federal […]

Tech selloff positions Bitcoin as an inflation hedge

Markets on Tuesday in the U.S. were unsettled by the prospect that energy crises in Europe and China could lift inflation to new highs, compelling central banks to reverse accommodations sooner than expected. US Treasuries reacted with a fierce rise in yields and that spilled over to the equity markets.  Although the markets drove down […]

Crypto funds see 6th consecutive week of inflows led by Bitcoin: CoinShares data

Cryptocurrency investment products saw inflows of US$95 million last week, with total inflows over the past six weeks of US$320 million, according to digital assets fund manager CoinShares. Fast facts “The continued inflows suggest the recent headwinds for digital assets, such as the widened China ban, were seen as buying opportunities for investors,” wrote CoinShares […]

Bitcoin miners expected to face tougher digging but demand continues growing

As total hashrate recovers, adjustment would follow four increases after as many declines since China intensified crypto mining clampdown.

Bitcoin mining rigs generate as much e-waste as the Netherlands

The amount of electronic waste generated by the Bitcoin network is comparable to the amount of discarded electronic equipment in a small country like the Netherlands, a study published by the academic journal Resource, Conservation and Recycling states. Fast facts According to the paper, a Bitcoin mining machine can lose 35% of its profit potential […]

El Salvador’s Bitcoin adoption, one week on

It’s hot on Bitcoin Beach and the Twitterverse, but the new legal tender doesn’t have uptake elsewhere in the Central American country.

The world’s largest corporate Bitcoin holder goes even bigger

Software firm MicroStrategy, the world’s largest corporate Bitcoin holder, purchased an additional 5,050 Bitcoins for US$242.9 million at an average price of US$48,099 per Bitcoin.  Fast facts Bitcoin was trading 3% lower on Monday, the day of the purchase, at around US$44, 800. The purchase puts MicroStrategy’s total Bitcoin holdings at 114,042 Bitcoins acquired for around […]

What does El Salvador’s new Bitcoin law mean for crypto markets?

El Salvador’s Bitcoin embrace may be a domino for some emerging markets, but a fierce rival to the BTC is also coming to the fore.

Bitcoin miner Blockstream partners with Macquarie for zero-carbon project

As the debate over cryptocurrency’s carbon footprint rages on, leading bitcoin miner Blockstream is developing new zero-carbon Bitcoin mining facilities in partnership with Australia-based financial services giant Macquarie Group, according to a company blog post. Fast facts The first pilot site will be in the U.S. where Blockstream will leverage Macquarie’s experience in green investments […]

El Salvador wowed the world by adopting Bitcoin as legal tender. Other countries are taking note

Following crypto’s adoption in one struggling economy, nations in Latin America and elsewhere are now weighing the pros and cons of digital currency

Bitcoin price plunges; Metaverse actions heats up in China

Bitcoin price plunges however Metaverse actions heats up in China

El Salvador’s big Bitcoin bet. Kim Kardashian, crypto flirt. Hong Kong’s crackdown warning.

Top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: El Salvador’s BTC experiment. EthereumMax and the power of celebrity. Hong Kong shores up regulatory oversight.

El Salvador ‘buys the dip’ as Bitcoin price tumbles one day after adoption

Just one day after El Salvador’s highly-anticipated adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender, the country’s recently acquired nest egg of 400 BTC lost roughly US$2.5 million in value as the entire crypto market saw a loss of 10% to 15% in 24 hours, according to CoinMarketCap.com Fast facts Bitcoin was trading around a four-month high […]

El Salvador today becomes first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender

The Central American nation opens up the next chapter in the history of the world’s biggest cryptocurrency.

Bitcoin sees first positive institutional inflows in 8 weeks; Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana lead inflows

The institutional investment tide has turned for Bitcoin, which saw US$59 million in inflows last week, according to CoinShares, Europe’s largest digital assets fund manager. It was Bitcoin’s first inflows in eight weeks — signaling improving investor sentiment toward the world’s most popular cryptocurrency. Fast facts Digital asset investment products saw inflows of US$98 million […]

Jack Dorsey’s Bitcoin bourse. Are NFTs in bubble trouble? China banks on e-CNY.

Top blockchain and crypto news: Does TBD stand for Twitter Boss Decision? NFTs’ ballooning interest. How billions in e-yuan are coursing through China.

Square’s Jack Dorsey to build decentralized Bitcoin exchange

Jack Dorsey, CEO of tech giants Square and Twitter, announced on Friday that Square’s new decentralized finance division, TBD, plans to build a decentralized Bitcoin exchange. Fast facts “We’ve determined TBD’s direction: help us build an open platform to create a decentralized exchange for Bitcoin,” he tweeted. Project lead for TBD Mike Brock also tweeted […]

How Bitcoin and Ethereum are rekindling with equities

What is the relationship between crypto assets and stock prices? An analysis week’s market trends.

Solana price hits all-time high as Bitcoin, crypto market dip

Bitcoin’s price dropped following a quick ascent past US$50K, but analysts say the rally is set to continue. Meanwhile, Solana again defied the overall market to post a new price high.

Bitcoin mining difficulty increases 13.2%

Bitcoin miners saw another mining difficulty adjustment on Wednesday night, with an increase of 13.24%, according to data from BTC.com. Fast facts The mining difficulty level is now at 17.62 trillion at block height 697,536, reflecting a 13.24% increase from the last adjustment, the data showed. The latest adjustment follows two increases after four consecutive […]

Chinese tech company Meitu reports $17M loss on Bitcoin holdings in 1H 2021

Meitu, a Hong Kong-listed Chinese technology company best known for its popular beauty apps, saw an RMB111,907, 000 (US$17.3 million) impairment loss on its Bitcoin holdings in the first six months of 2021, the company reported in its latest financial results. Fast facts According to Meitu’s Aug. 25 HKEX filing: “the decrease in fair value […]

Bitcoin ATM firms and Chainalysis form cooperative to protect public

Bitcoin ATM operators DigitalMint and Coinsource are joining blockchain analytics company Chainalysis to form the Cryptocurrency Compliance Cooperative (CCC). The mission of the CCC is to bolster compliance standards and protect consumers in the cash-to-cryptocurrency industry. Fast facts Leaders in the cash-to-crypto business say they are on the mission to create a safer environment for […]

Bitcoin bulls brace. CryptoPunks’ pulling power. China’s crypto lawfare.

Top blockchain and crypto news: Is another Bitcoin bull run coming soon? Punks rocking NFTs. Why crypto contracts may not be enforceable in China.

Bitcoin miners may soon face tougher digging

As the crypto hashrate continues to recover, miners will likely have to work harder for their coins.

Iran expected to lift Bitcoin mining ban next month

Iran, which imposed a temporary ban on Bitcoin mining a few months ago, is expected to lift the prohibition next month, according to local media reports. Fast facts The Iran Power Generation, Distribution and Transmission Company told the state-run ISNA that the ban will be lifted on Sept. 22, local English media Financial Tribune reported. […]

El Salvador rolls out 200 Bitcoin ATMs ahead of nationwide adoption

In preparation for El Salvador adopting Bitcoin as legal tender, the nation is rolling out 200 ATMs and preparing 50 bank branches across the nation to allow residents to exchange crypto for fiat easily, President Nayib Bukele has announced over the weekend via Twitter. Fast facts With El Salvador’s Bitcoin adoption bill coming into effect […]

Bitcoin price above $50K, Cardano and Solana at all-time highs as crypto market surges

Led by Ethereum rivals, crypto prices are in an upswing with over $2.1 trillion in total market cap. Is this the start of another crypto bull run?

Aussie tech entrepreneur offers Bitcoin to those vaccinated against Covid

Finder.com CEO Fred Schebesta is offering AU$5 (US$2.85) worth of Bitcoin to every Australian who is fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Fast facts Announcing the plan on Sydney radio this week, the self-made millionaire said he was looking for a way to contribute to the vaccination effort and thought this could be a way to help. […]

Blockchain investment goes green: Court says bitcoin legally protected

Blockchain investment goes green while Court says bitcoin legally protected

Shanghai court rules Bitcoin is virtual property, not currency

A district court in Shanghai has ruled that Bitcoin is virtual property, not a currency that is allowed to circulate, according to a statement released earlier this week. Fast facts A Minhang district court in Shanghai stated this week that it heard a case in which a plaintiff purchased Bitcoin mining machines from a defendant […]

El Salvador’s finance minister says Bitcoin is ‘totally optional’

In what will likely be a relief for many Salvadorans, El Salvador’s finance minister said the use of BTC will remain “totally optional” and businesses will not be sanctioned for not using it when the country’s controversial BTC law comes into effect on Sept. 7, reports Yahoo News. Fast facts The country’s adoption of BTC […]

Fitch warns El Salvador’s Bitcoin adoption will drag down credit rating

In another criticism of El Salvador’s planned Bitcoin adoption, global credit scoring agency Fitch Ratings has warned the move will likely adversely affect credit ratings of the country’s insurance sector, due to heightened foreign exchange and earnings volatility risk. Fast facts Fitch Ratings explained in a press release on Monday that once a law comes […]

Solana hits all time high: GoSats launches bitcoin reward card

Solana hits all time high as GoSats launches bitcoin reward card