Eqonex closes crypto exchange as market woes prompt cost-cutting

Top blockchain and crypto news: Eqonex shutters exchange operation. Huobi denies sale report. Taiwan beefs up cyber defenses.

Fed’s crypto bank guidelines; Coinhako planning expansion

The Federal Reserve issues new crypto banking guidelines. Meanwhile, Singaporean crypto exchange Coinhako plans an expansion.

Coinhako crypto exchange sees Asia expansion opportunity as rivals stumble

Cross currents: BlackRock Inc, the world’s biggest money manager, is talking about Bitcoin opportunities amid a market slump. Singapore’s Coinhako looks to have similar ideas.

Eqonex closing exchange; Guo’s fork plans

Welcome to The Daily Forkast – August 16, 2022 – presented by Joel Flynn. Coming up on today’s show: Eqonex to focus on asset management and custody. Chandler Guo – a man on a mission.  Total value locked taking a knock. We’ll have more on those stories — and other news shaping the cryptocurrency and […]

Bitcoin should be higher?; Memecoins on a tear

Bitcoin and Ethereum

Australia’s Holon Global got ahead of BlackRock with funds shrugging off crypto winter

Australia’s retirement fund industry, the world’s fifth largest at US$2.3 trillion, is one future target for investment funds offering cryptocurrencies.

BlackRock backflips on Bitcoin as latest institution to see promise in crypto

Something of a sea change? Financial institutions that once turned up their noses at cryptocurrencies are now figuring out ways to get access for their clients.

Bitcoin miner Hut 8 shares gain on revenue, outlook – despite Q2 profit slump

Crypto mining slump? Canada-based company booked 31% revenue growth on year, expanded Bitcoin holdings, and plans to ramp up mining capacity this year. Other crypto miners seem to be following suit.

Indian authorities probe alleged $125 mln money laundering cases involving crypto, report says

India’s Enforcement Directorate is investigating at least 10 cryptocurrency exchanges for alleged money laundering, according to The Economic Times

Simping in Web3 to follow the DAO of Irene

Can blockchain technology help starstruck little guys profit from being superfans of popular e-girls? Joel Stein joins Irene Zhao’s IreneDAO to find out.

Klaytn chief says reducing ‘human elements’ can prevent hacks

After high-profile cyberattacks on decentralized apps, the blockchain industry is in a hurry to ramp up security. Sam Sangmin Seo, head of Klaytn, tells Forkast that minimizing human error may be the key.

Despite the bear market, enterprise blockchain has nothing to fear

Crypto’s volatility may be top of mind right now, but blockchain’s practical uses will be the industry’s future, writes Johannes Schweifer of CoreLedger.

Binance-WazirX spat heats up as investors yank funds from Indian exchange

Top blockchain and crypto news: Binance spurns WazirX amid India probe. BlackRock bets on Coinbase. Crypto influencers in China’s crosshairs.

WazirX issues warning; Stablecoin giants back Merge

WazirX users head for exits amid a dispute between Binance. Meanwhile, Circle and Tether announce support for the new ETH P-O-S.

India crypto traders try to dodge fallout from WazirX woes, spat with Binance

What’s a crypto trader to do when the government freezes exchange assets, sparking a war of words between supposedly ‘merged’ exchanges?

Vitalik Buterin says he used Tornado Cash to donate to Ukraine

Amid debate over the U.S. Treasury Department’s banning of the crypto mixer, the Ethereum cofounder said he used the service to protect recipients.

Digital dollar push; Tornado Cash blacklisted

Welcome to The Daily Forkast – August 9, 2022 – presented by Angie Lau. Coming up on today’s show: US lawmakers aim to push Fed on digital dollar. Circle freezes smart contract addresses linked to blacklisted Tornado Cash. Also, Hodlnaut freezes withdrawals, swaps and deposits. Zipmex to release specific amounts of Bitcoin and Ether. And […]

Chainalysis says $2 bln stolen in cross-chain bridge hacks this year, more expected

Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis says cross-chain bridges that allow transfer of assets between independent blockchains are among the highest risk protocols in the blockchain industry for scams and bad actors. Chainalysis in a new report estimates that US$2 billion worth of cryptocurrency has been stolen from cross-chain bridges across 13 attacks so far this year, […]

Why crypto remains niche and far from the mainstream

The crypto world is plagued by products that are hard to use and have little utility, writes Roman Kashcheev of Quantfury. What can turn things around?

Investigating ‘The Hackening’; Crypto market inflows up

Why are cross-chain bridges so attractive for hackers? Also, we take a deeper dive into how the market reacts to it.

Why Singapore may be the ideal place for companies to rebuild post-crypto winter

Singapore is growing its digital assets industry while reducing risks, and its clear regulations allow firms to better plan for the future, writes Desmond Yong of DTC.

Welcome to Web3, (hopefully) not a bigger monster than its version 2 sibling

How does a centralized internet browser plan for a decentralized future? Reinvention, and finding a receptive audience. First stop, Southeast Asia.

Affairs of the art: Why NFT creators have fallen for Tezos

Tezos has become a leading art blockchain, even in China, where NFTs are barely tolerated. Its regional chief, Katherine Ng, explains its success

Coinbase-Blackrock deal, India’s blockchain outlook

Coinbase and Blackrock partner up to provide institutional crypto access. Meanwhile, Instagram expands NFT platform.

New US bill to give CFTC oversight of cryptocurrencies may speed up crypto legislation in other markets   

The U.S. bill to bring cryptocurrencies under the oversight of the Commodities Futures and Trading Commission is likely to hasten legislation of such digital assets around the world.

What NFT.NYC missed that Coachella got right

2022’s marquee NFT event in America’s biggest city failed to capitalize on its namesake technology, while an iconic music festival in the California desert understood the possibilities, writes Mirwan Suwarso of Mola TV.

US crypto bill pile up; Philippines Binance warning

US Senate proposes the CFTC takes responsibility of Bitcoin and Ethereum. Meanwhile, Philippine authorities warn against Binance

FastForkast headlines

Australians can now use crypto to buy gasoline, Krispy Kreme donuts

Venture capital rallies for CoinFund, Shima Capital crypto investment funds

Crypto lender Genesis cuts staff, CEO exits amid executive shuffle

Despite crypto downturn, illicit activity outpaces legitimate uses

Markets: Bitcoin, Ether decline; memecoins fall back, XRP holds gains

Huobi to end crypto derivatives trading in New Zealand

Tencent’s Huanhe allows NFT refunds, halts further sales

Fed issues guidelines for crypto banks to enter central banking system

U.S. Treasury overstepping authority in Tornado Cash sanction, says advocacy group Coin Center

Crypto lender Hodlnaut seeks judicial management for protection against creditors

Binance receives in-principal approval to operate in Kazakhstan

Privacy protocol Monero completes upgrade to make transactions more private

Polkadot-based stablecoin Acala Dollar depegs after a breach

Markets: Bitcoin little changed, Ether dips below $2,000, Memecoins surge

Huobi looks to sell stake that values exchange at US$3 bln, Bloomberg reports

India authorities block crypto exchange Bitbns’ bank account

No ‘conclusive evidence’ that US$6 mln Solana hack caused by loophole: Slope

India authorities freeze Vauld exchange’s assets worth $46.5 mln

Markets: Bitcoin, Ether retreat as investors digest inflation, Blackrock developments

Limit crypto expansion in developing countries, urges U.N. agency

Binance to support Ethereum’s PoS Merge, evaluate new forked tokens

India’s WazirX says it has no-tolerance policy on illegal activities

Iran pays US$10 mln import order with crypto for 1st time: report

Reddit teams up with FTX to innovate community points

Naver’s Zepeto metaverse starts blockchain initiative with Solana

Thailand’s central bank to get more power in crypto regulation overhaul: report

India’s WazirX to delist EasyFi

Markets: Bitcoin loses steam, Ether continues run higher in late Asia trading

Issue tokens later for growth, not for initial fundraising, advises Binance chief Changpeng Zhao

Binance to stop off-chain transfers with India’s WazirX

China shuts 13,000 social media accounts for promoting crypto investment

Crypto.com enters South Korea market with two local startup acquisitions

Circle freezes smart contract addresses linked to blacklisted Tornado Cash

Business as usual at India’s WazirX as Binance distances itself

Markets: Bitcoin, Ethereum rise in broad gains; Solana jumps; BNB adds to surge

Bitget offers ‘protection fund’ to users as emergency insurance

Polygon cofounder says bear market is an opportunity for blockchain builders

North Korea’s Lazarus Group allegedly targets deBridge

‘The Merge’ can make crypto payments mainstream again: Vitalik Buterin

Blockchain is needed for metaverse interoperability: Klaytn

Binance partners Mastercard to launch card in Argentina for bill payment, everyday purchases

Riot Blockchain earns millions in credits by cutting energy use during Texas heat wave

BlackRock, Coinbase partner to extend crypto trading to institutional investors

S.Korea’s Bithumb links system with Samsung Securities, mobile apps

Revolut starts crypto service in Singapore