Mt. Gox may return Bitcoin worth over $6 billion, Karpeles says
The Japanese trustee for Mt. Gox is likely to distribute the remaining trove of Bitcoins held by the defunct cryptocurrency exchange sooner than later, former CEO Mark Karpeles tells Jake Adelstein in an exclusive interview for Forkast.
Russia’s bitcoin for oil proposal; Crypto market makes gains
Russia considers a bitcoin for oil proposal. Meanwhile, crypto markets make gains after weeks of volatility.
Killing it softly or regulating to innovate? India at the crypto crossroads
India’s crypto tax represents both a threat to the industry and an opportunity to create a regulatory framework to support it, says Polygon’s Jaynti Kanani.
Bollywood Icon’s Tax Bill; Metaverse Fashion Week Opens
Chinese telecom ZTE registers metaverse-related trademarks. Meanwhile, Bollywood star gets chased over NFT taxes.
Fusang defers IPO; Yuga Labs hits $4bn valuation
Malaysia’s Fusang defers their IPO. Meanwhile, Blockchain Week Australia looks into intellectual property rights.
Executive Summary
NFT sales amounted to US$18.5 billion in 2021 — a 570-fold increase from 2020 as avatars and digital art gained in popularity and organizations such as the NBA issued NFT collections that attracted an overwhelming response, data from NFT industry data aggregator CryptoSlam showed. With sales holding above US$2.5 billion in recent months and reaching […]
Echoes of El Salvador as Malaysian minister calls for crypto adoption
Top blockchain and crypto news: Bitcoin buzz in Malaysia. Yuga Labs teases Otherside. Blockchain verdict in China.
Regulations on the Radar
While blockchains and NFTs can theoretically eliminate plagiarism and fraud, there is as yet no clear distinction between NFTs that have been inspired by the designs of others and those that are simply copycats. Nike, for instance, has filed a lawsuit against StockX for selling NFT images of its shoes, while Hermès has sued an […]
New Investors and Investments
As NFT adoption grows, massive amounts of capital are pouring into the industry. January 2022 saw the close of investment rounds in several high-profile companies, including NFT marketplace OpenSea, which raised US$300 million in Series C funding from investors led by Paradigm and Coatue. The new investment valued OpenSea at US$13.3 billion. Hong Kong-based Animoca Brands, […]
The Metaverse Conquest | Interview with Sébastien Borget
The Sandbox metaverse is made up of 166,464 unique land NFTs, digital pieces of real estate, that players can own to publish their creations, monetize their games or rent to other creators. These lands will host a wide range of experiences, and their limited number makes The Sandbox seem like a virtual Manhattan when it […]
Getting Creative | Interview with Audrey Ou
Traditional art and NFTs Art collectors have become much more interested in NFTs over the past year. Crypto-native NFT projects, like profile photos, are opening an entirely new market to art fans. The ranks of mainstream art collectors are also expanding, since many young NFT collectors go on to explore other forms of art, including […]
The Boost from Blockchain Gaming
From the lookout: Unbeknownst to those outside the NFT space, there’s a mammoth blockchain game on the horizon. Even before the launch of Star Atlas, which promises cinema-quality graphics, investors are already pouring millions of dollars to purchase in-game NFT items. The unreleased game’s leaderboard shows a player with US$4 million worth of assets. This […]
Trends Within the Trend
What major use cases or trends will we see in the NFT space in 2022? Trend 1: Mass adoption. Currently, we estimate there are around 1 million unique wallets globally that have been used to buy, sell or hold NFTs. We believe this number will rise sharply as more companies and developers create NFTs to […]
Introduction
In March 2021, a non-fungible token (NFT) in the form of artist Beeple’s digital collage sold for US$69 million at a Christie’s auction. It created a buzz among retail and professional investors who began to take a serious look into this new revenue stream for digital artists. Around the same time, Dapper Labs’ NBA Top […]
How DeFi can lift up the poor in emerging markets
Traditional banks are failing the nearly 2 billion people in the world without access to financial services, writes Khalid Howladar. But DeFi can be a lifeline.
Challenges to Address
The rapid rise of NFTs has sparked concerns about speculative bubbles as well as the negative impact on the environment. As discussed earlier, China permits trading in NFTs so long as there is a holding period after each purchase. The country’s state media have also warned against speculative behavior surrounding NFTs. In places such as […]
The Flippening: When will Ethereum overtake Bitcoin?
Ethereum’s market value passing up Bitcoin’s may not be a matter of if, but when. Dr. Kosrow Dehnad and Joe Duncan offer a predictive model.
Russian bank given crypto license: China to monitor outflows
As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine rages on and sanctions continue to mount, Russia-based bank Sberbank obtains a crypto license from the Central Bank of Russia. Meanwhile in China, social media platform Weibo allows its users to mint NFTs of their social media posts.
From crisis currency to consumer adoption: What next for crypto?
Cryptocurrencies have won credit for their role in Ukraine’s war, showing utility that will drive them beyond the battlefield, says Amber Group’s Michael Wu.
China highlights crypto crimes; Kazakh miners busted
Chinese authorities cracked down on crypto related crimes on Consumer Rights Day. Meanwhile in Kazakhstan, the former President’s brother was busted for illegal crypto mining operations.
Bitcoin avoids European ban as lawmakers decline to outlaw ‘proof of work’
Top blockchain and crypto news: PoW spared as Europe revamps MiCA rules. Yuga Labs acquires CryptoPunks rights. China’s Mango TV makes NFT debut.
China lashes out at crypto fraud on World Consumer Rights Day
No more Burger King, Nike and Muji. This year’s annual focus on marketplace abuse names and shames crypto scams.
How crypto is driving diversity and gender equality
While crypto used to be associated with a ‘bro’ culture, it is now maturing into a hotbed for inclusivity, writes Cynthia Wu of Matrixport.
How Singapore is reimagining its ‘Asian crypto hub’ image
The Lion City has been the place to be for crypto firms, but retail activity is slowing down while the central bank continues to build a haven for institutional investors.
Two sides to every coin: Crypto as a weapon in the fight for Ukraine
Cryptocurrency is being used both to fund Ukraine’s defense and prevent Russia’s ability to skirt sanctions in what may become a pivotal moment for the industry.
A crypto bull wins the presidency: What it means for South Korea
ICOs, revamped taxation, and investor protection reverse a past crypto reluctance under the incoming administration.
Russia faces crypto freeze as exchanges toe line on sanctions
Top blockchain and crypto news: Moscow faces crypto winter. DeFi doyen quits Fantom. China mulls metaverse moves.
How will digital money play into banking’s future?
Blockchain technology is rapidly transforming the finance sector. DBS Bank CEO Piyush Gupta offers an insider’s look at what’s coming next.
Aid for Ukraine: why a stranded founder turned to DAO and crypto
Stranded away from home, Web 3.0 company Everstake founder Sergey Vasylchuck realized he could still help his war-torn homeland Ukraine by raising funds through a DAO.
Conflict currency: How crypto has become enmeshed in the war in Ukraine
Bitcoin and other cryptos are being used on both sides of the fight, raising ethical issues that cut to the core of decentralization, says AAX’s Ben Caselin
Korean exchanges block Russians; Crypto’s role in conflict
As the war in Ukraine enters it’s second week, we take a look at how cyptocurrencies and digital assets can play a role in a conflict.
The future is decentralized: How Web3 can reshape the world
As the public tires of Big Tech’s privacy abuses, Web3’s premise of decentralization has never looked better, writes Edward Chen of Huobi.
China’s Two Sessions: what to expect for blockchain
Look for progress reports on e-CNY, blockchain technology, new digital infrastructure, and subtle mentions of the international sanctions against Russia.
Bitcoin shores up Ukraine fighters amid Moscow’s money meltdown
Top blockchain and crypto news: Digital currency battling Russian invasion. Ethereum remains NFT projects’ chain of choice. China to lock up crypto traders.
Russian ruble plunges; Ukraine DAO aids civilians
Sanctions on Russia have prompted a resurgence in the Crypto market as the Russian ruble takes a nosedive. And as the attack on Ukraine continues, a decentralized autonomous organization is created to support Ukrainian civilians who have joined military efforts.
‘We don’t have time’ for traditional fundraising, crypto is most efficient: Ukraine DAO
With limited access to donations through traditional crowdfunding, cryptocurrencies and NFTs offer immediate help, Trippy Labs tells Forkast.
How the market is evolving from GameFi to SocialFi — and what comes next
A blockchain is a database that can record all transactions and transfers for the entire world. All users can use public blockchain explorers to verify all data is correct. Blockchain facilitates transactions of virtual currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Transactions that take place are fast, cheap, tamper-proof and irreversible. But blockchain technology is not limited […]
Who are the biggest players in the metaverse today?
The multi-faceted metaverse provides new channels for gaming, socialization, art exhibitions and more. Who’s leading the race and how?
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.
Play to live: GameFi drives a Southeast Asian crush on crypto
More people in the region are in thrall to play-to-earn gaming as it adapts to offer real-world uses, says Infinity Ventures Crypto founding partner Brian Lu.
Crypto losses not protected in China; India’s bitcoin premium
Chinese court reiterates its stance that the law cannot cover crypto losses. Meanwhile, Indian investors are paying double the South Korean kimchi premium.
Russia retreats from crypto ban as it pushes rules for industry
Moscow moves to regulate crypto. OpenSea’s security struggle. Will China cool its metaverse mania?
Axie Infinity breaks $4BN; China’s brewing metaverse frenzy
Axie Infinity breaks $4BN mark. Meanwhile, China’s brewing metaverse frenzy sees over 16,000 trademark applications.
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.