Why crypto offers great career opportunities for talented women
The blockchain sector’s gender divide is narrowing. Its newness and founding ideals also allow for more flexible workplaces, writes Anastasia Kor of Choise.com.
Hong Kong’s Crypto Dream
Hong Kong’s economy is shrinking, but a recent budget draft published by the government lists some changes that could help the city recover – and crypto is at the center of it all.
Taiwan must mandate a central authority to oversee crypto by May 16, says lawmaker
A Taiwanese lawmaker has reiterated that the cabinet will have to mandate an acting central authority to shape regulatory frameworks and development roadmap for the cryptocurrency industry by May 16, a move that would push Taiwan closer to adequate crypto regulation.
Judge denies Dapper Labs request to dismiss NBA Top Shot security lawsuit
A US district court judge on Wednesday denied Dapper Labs’ request to dismiss a lawsuit that alleges that the NBA Top Shots NFT collection is an unregistered security.
Crypto exchanges face an existential challenge. What can bring users back?
Amid the rubble of FTX and other centralized exchanges, cross-chain technology and on-chain trading offer more trustworthy alternatives, writes Simon Harman of Chainflip.
Hong Kong’s new crypto regulation may lure Web3 firms back, experts say
Hong Kong’s proposed crypto licensing regime received Huobi Global’s pledge to return to the city, and more companies may follow, industry experts told Forkast.
Crypto scammers seize on AI frenzy as fraudulent ChatGPT tokens flood markets
Crypto scammers are deploying fraudulent tokens that appear affiliated with the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT, taking advantage of the tech’s investment hype.
Blur lives up to name as its trading volume surpasses OpenSea
Top blockchain and crypto news: Blur’s success spurs changes at OpenSea. Is Binance eyeing US exit? Taiwan asset disclosure rules may include crypto.
Hong Kong to invest US$6.37 million to spur Web3 growth
Hong Kong is allocating HK$50 million (US$6.37 million) to develop its Web3 sector, the Financial Secretary Paul Chan announced Wednesday.
Centralized crypto exchanges are dying, so long live centralized crypto exchanges?
Multi-billion dollar bankruptcies, fraud allegations, scandal, and plunging cryptocurrency prices in 2022 all characterized why investors came to distrust centralized exchanges. Yet, some commentators expect platforms to become ever more centralized … and regulated.
Bitcoin exceeds 154,000 inscriptions in a month as Litecoin Ordinals launches
The Bitcoin Network has recorded over 154,554 inscriptions since the launch of Bitcoin Ordinals on Jan. 21, a fork that enables digital assets to be inscribed on satoshis (sats)
How Web3 in China is taking shape — with ‘Chinese characteristics’
What makes Web3 compelling to many is its promise to shift power from centralized players to individual users, but China is doing the opposite, writes Lily King.
Taiwan may mandate public servants to declare crypto holdings
Taiwan’s Ministry of Justice said on Wednesday that it may be adding cryptocurrencies to the list of properties for public servants to declare.
Why gaming’s next frontier is owning your in-game assets
Many gamers still oppose NFTs and blockchain gaming, overlooking the myriad benefits of the latest technology, writes Ramona Ciocea of Protokol.
Japan’s Square Enix to launch Web3 game on Polygon blockchain, cites ‘sustainability’ benefits
Square Enix announced Wednesday that it will launch its first Web3 game Symbiogenesis on the Polygon blockchain.
Web3 isn’t just about money, it’s about equality and transparency, says Mysten Labs co-founder
Investors may view Web3 through the lens of financial opportunities and revenue, but that misses the point of trying to build a fairer and more transparent infrastructure, with content creators at the forefront, says Mysten Labs co-founder Evan Cheng
Conflux Network, China Telecom to build blockchain-enabled SIM cards
Blockchain protocol Conflux Network and China’s second-largest wireless carrier China Telecom have partnered to build a “blockchain-enabled SIM card” (BSIM).
Paxos ordered to stop minting Binance stablecoin as SEC mulls legal action
Top blockchain and crypto news: Paxos halts BUSD issuance. Kraken faces disclosure charges. Beijing backs new blockchain research center.
Head of crypto, FX trading platform EminiFX pleads guilty to US$248 million fraud charges
Mastermind of the EminiFX fraud has pleaded guilty to soliciting investments worth more than US$248 million from tens of thousands of investors, says US DOJ.
What is the outlook for crypto in 2023 and beyond?
Tokenization, stablecoins and DeFi will be growth areas, but regulatory uncertainty is still holding back adoption, writes John Avery of FIS.
Markets: Bitcoin treads water under US$22,000 following SEC action on Kraken, Ether falls
Bitcoin was little changed in Monday morning trading in Asia in a mixed morning for the top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.
Blockchain developers have taken a decentralized interest in cloud storage – will it shake up the industry?
Blockchain developers want a piece of the multi-billion dollar cloud computing pie. Do current heavyweights in the industry – Amazon, Google and Microsoft – have cause for concern?
Markets: Bitcoin falls under US$23,000 as Fed says inflation remains stubborn. Most top 10 crypto decline
Bitcoin slipped back below US$23,000 on Thursday morning in Asia, tracking the fall in U.S. equity markets overnight amid comments from Federal Reserve officials that the fight to curb inflation is far from over.
Binance makes Korea comeback with GOPAX acquisition
Top blockchain and crypto news: GOPAX deal sees Binance return to South Korea. Inflation fight spooks crypto markets. Chinese liquor giant gives cheers to NFTs.
Markets: Bitcoin rises as Polygon gains most in top 10 cryptos
Bitcoin prices gained in Tuesday afternoon trading in Asia while Ethereum dropped with most other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.
Yuga Labs says it won first Bored Ape trademark lawsuit against RR/BAYC project
Yuga Labs, the company behind the leading non-fungible token (NFT) project, Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), won a settlement on Monday in a trademark infringement lawsuit against Thomas Lehman, a collaborator in the controversial RR/BAYC project headed by artist Ryder Ripps.
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether extend losses: Solana, Polygon biggest losers
Bitcoin and Ethereum prices dropped in afternoon trading on Monday in Asia, along with all other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. Bitcoin continued trading under US$23,000, while Solana and Polygon led losses.
What is CeDeFi, and why it is the future of finance
CeDeFi offers the benefits of CeFi and DeFi without their shortcomings, writes Alexander Tkachenko of VNX. Here’s how it works.
Weekly Market Wrap: Bitcoin breaches US$23,000 in best monthly performance since October 2021
Bitcoin climbed more than 39% in January to break through the US$23,000 resistance ceiling in its best monthly performance since October 2021. Can the world’s first and biggest cryptocurrency maintain the upward momentum? Industry commentators share their views with Forkast.
Markets: Bitcoin and Ether down, Polkadot biggest winner among top 10 cryptos
Bitcoin and Ether fell during Asian trading hours on Friday, along with the rest of the top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, with Polkadot’s DOT posting the biggest gains.
Why DeFi remains niche and what might get it out of its market rut
DeFi is still a Wild West, and many would-be users are wary of its lawlessness and anonymity. Could decentralized IDs foster greater trust and growth in the sector?
Bitcoin mining fund soars as BTC powers into 2023
Top blockchain and crypto news: BTC mining ETF outperforms. SBF under pressure as accusations mount. ‘China’s Instagram’ embraces NFTs.
Markets: Bitcoin closes in on US$24,000, lifts crypto top 10
Bitcoin was up on Monday morning in Asia, reaching its highest price in five months. Ether also rose along with all other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies, with Solana and Litecoin posting the biggest gains.
Markets: Bitcoin dips but holds above US$23,000, Ether slips, Polygon biggest gainer in top 10
Bitcoin and Ether gave up some of their January gains in Friday morning trading in Asia, though both are still higher for the week.
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether prices rise as crypto market stages rebound; Solana biggest gainer among top 10
Bitcoin and Ether rebounded in Thursday morning trading in Asia amid broad gains in the top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies.
Markets: Bitcoin edges higher, Ether little changed; XRP, Polkadot post strong gains in mixed market
Bitcoin edged higher to the US$23,000 resistance line, while Ether traded little changed in mixed early morning trading in Asia on Tuesday.
Binance Charity to fund over 30,000 Web3 scholarships in 2023
Binance Charity Fund, the philanthropic arm of the world’s largest crypto exchange, Binance Global Inc., has announced it is funding 30,665 Web3 scholarships in 2023.
Singapore-based crypto unicorn Amber Group slashes Hong Kong workforce, SCMP reports
Singapore-based digital asset manager Amber Group has cut its Hong Kong staff by half to 40 to weather a slump in cryptocurrency prices and a cascade of bankruptcies in the industry.
Genesis, Gemini face US charges over unregistered securities sales
Top blockchain and crypto news: SEC frowns on Genesis, Gemini. Solana soars. Will China tighten its embrace of WeChat Pay and Alipay to push its CBDC?
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether prices little changed; Polkadot gains as Solana gives up ground
Bitcoin and Ether were little changed in a muted morning of trading on Wednesday in Asia, as few top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies moved by more than 1% in either direction.
Crypto’s data problem: Rebuilding trust in a trustless environment
Price is the wrong measure of Web3’s true value, writes Angie Lau, editor-in-chief of Forkast. To recover from Crypto Winter, we need metrics that are less prone to whims and manipulation.
What does the future hold for digital assets in 2023?
NFTs, tokenization and blockchain-based cross-border payments will see big paradigm shifts, but their success will depend on regulation, investment and adoption, writes Stephen Richardson of Fireblocks.
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether rises; Solana is biggest gainer among top 10
Bitcoin and Ether gained in Monday afternoon trading in Asia, along with all other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies.
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether prices jump as U.S. indicator shows inflation pressure is easing
Bitcoin and Ether prices jumped in Friday morning trading in Asia after the December U.S. Consumer Price Index released overnight rose 6.5%.
Bitcoin price rebounds as U.S. inflation cools
Bitcoin rebounded above US$18,000 on Friday as the U.S. consumer price index, rose 6.5% in December, matching expectations and continuing a downtrend from previous months.
Stopping Scalpers
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour was met with a series of ticketing nightmares as scalpers tried to resell tickets for as high as US$22,000. But could NFTs have solved that problem?
Can human psychology help save blockchain gaming?
NFTs in gaming have drawn mixed reactions, including gamer backlash and vitriol. What can the sector do to better meet gamers’ innermost needs?
Slumdog Millionaire composer A. R. Rahman tunes into metaverse
Indian music composer A. R. Rahman, who won Best Original Score at the Oscars for the movie Slumdog Millionaire, has launched the ‘Katraar’ metaverse platform to promote new music creations and other art forms.
Animoca Brands slashes Web3 fund target to US$1B: Bloomberg
Animoca Brands Corp. has scaled down the target amount for its Web 3.0 and metaverse investment fund to US$1 billion.
How ‘naming collisions’ threaten the promise of Web3
What are ‘naming collisions,’ and why will unique user-owned identities play a pivotal role in Web3’s future success? Matthew Gould explains.
Alameda Research transfers spark suspicions as SBF denies involvement
Top blockchain and crypto news: Where is Alameda Research’s money going? US tax loophole may give crypto investors a break. China’s blockchain momentum builds.
CeFi regulation to accelerate further 2023
Regulators will focus on centralized finance instead of decentralized finance in 2023, Chainalysis’ Caroline Malcolm says.
Ripple expects SEC ruling in first half, clearer global regulations for digital assets in 2023
Ripple Labs Inc. expects a court decision in the first six-months of this year in the case filed against the company by the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission. The SEC sued Ripple in December 2020 for allegedly selling US$1.3 billion in unregistered securities.
Final Fantasy’s Square Enix stays committed to blockchain despite backlash
Yosuke Matsuda, the president of Square Enix, has reaffirmed the gaming company’s commitment to blockchain technology.
Happy birthday to Bitcoin! What will it become when it’s all grown up?
It takes a village to raise a child, and Bitcoin is no different — we must support its growth but also set firm boundaries, writes Justin d’Anethan of Amber Group.
‘Tis the season for crypto tax-loss harvesting: IRS, regulators remain silent on crypto tax loophole ahead of new year
The past year has been tumultuous for crypto investors, with a bear market wiping out over half of Bitcoin’s market capitalization. However, with the end of the American tax year just days ahead, taxpayers could get some money back.
A series of events: Crypto’s 2022 timeline
Cryptocurrencies had a turbulent 2022 to say the least. Blockchain technology made progress but that failed to offset the multiple bankruptcies and hacks that plagued the industry through the year.
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether inch up; XRP biggest loser among top 10
Bitcoin and Ether prices gained on Friday morning in Asia, while other top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization were mixed.
How crypto crimes are evolving, and what to expect in 2023
Ponzi schemes, investment scams and rug pulls have drained billions from crypto users in recent years. What new kinds of crypto crimes are on the horizon?
Japan game maker Gumi strikes US$52 mln metaverse deal with Square Enix, SBI
Japan-based game company Gumi has announced a business alliance with Square Enix SBI Holdings to grow its metaverse business.
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether fall; Solana, Cardano show bigger losses
Bitcoin and Ether fell on Thursday morning in Asia. Solana lost 11% of its value, the steepest drop among top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies.
A year to remember, a year to forget: Crypto highs and lows of 2022
From Terra and FTX crises to Ethereum’s triumphant Merge and China’s inventive NFT industry, Forkast reviews a rollercoaster year and its consequences.
Biggest blockchain trends for 2023 and beyond
After a year of new all-time highs for major cryptocurrencies in 2021, 2022 was a challenging year for Web3. Industry experts tell Forkast what crypto has in store for 2023 and beyond.
Markets: Bitcoin, Ether slide; BNB leads gains across top 10 cryptos
Bitcoin and Ether prices dropped on Wednesday morning in Asia while other non-stablecoin top 10 cryptocurrencies posted mixed results with BNB leading gains.
Will FTX’s collapse decentralize the industry?
While the collapse of FTX may invite more scrutiny for centralized exchanges, Binance’s Patrick Hillmann believes it could benefit the industry through more decentralization.
India’s religious festivals coming to a metaverse near your avatar?
India loves religious festivals, but are its citizens ready to attend such celebrations in virtual reality? An Indian startup reckons they are and launched its first effort this year, saying 20,000 avatars showed up.
Time for reflection: How will FTX’s implosion impact crypto regulation?
This year’s cascade of crypto collapses should be a wake-up call to regulators, says the Independent Community Bankers of America’s Brian Laverdure.
Hong Kong arrests two for suspected involvement in digital asset fraud on AAX
Hong Kong’s commercial crime investigation bureau on Friday arrested two local men for suspected involvement in digital asset fraud on Atom Asset Exchange (AAX)
To unwrap Web3’s promises, we must break the barriers to blockchain adoption
Despite blockchain’s potential, barriers to use still stand in the way, writes Andrew Vranjes of Blockdaemon. Solving security issues and reducing risk will be key.
How Web3 can make travel less stressful for future holidays
The travel sector has many pain points and is ripe for disruption, writes Freddie Hickman of Hyper SQ. Here’s what blockchain can do, from tracking baggage to letting you resell your no-longer-wanted air ticket.
Web 3.0 firms must ‘keep costs low,’ improve efficiency to navigate downturns, says Rotten Tomatoes cofounder
Patrick Lee, who cofounded Rotten Tomatoes and PKO Investments, says the US$35 million investment company has slowed Web 3.0 investments significantly.
South Korea’s ‘metaverse’ province says will use virtual platform to expand ties with Vietnam
South Korea’s Gyeongbuk Province plans to use the metaverse to expand economic and other relations with Vietnam.