China’s 5 hottest blockchain developments in 2020
With DCEP nearing launch, China is having a banner year in blockchain-related technologies. Here’s what’s hot in China and what’s too hot to touch.
DeFi explained: The guide to decentralized finance
What is DeFi and how does it work? What are its benefits and risks? Forkast.News explains everything you need to know about one of the hottest, most lucrative and controversial crypto trends.
Diginex’s Richard Byworth: Crypto borrowing and lending to increase 10-fold
In this edition of Forkast Forecasts, Diginex’s CEO offers his views on CBDC initiatives, crypto custody, and more growth in borrowing, lending of digital assets in the upcoming year.
Crypto Santa’s naughty and nice list for Christmas 2020
Who in blockchain is making the world a better place this year, and who deserves nothing under the tree? Santa’s helpers at Forkast.News tell all.
ConsenSys’ Charles d’Haussy: The ‘staking capital of the world’ will emerge in Asia in 2021
In this edition of Forkast Forecasts, the director of strategic initiatives at ConsenSys and author of “Block Kong” shares his views on CBDCs, stablecoins and Asia’s blockchain space.
Year in Review: 5 biggest blockchain and crypto stories of 2020
Here are the hottest blockchain news and trends that dominated Forkast.News headlines over the past 12 months. Let the countdown to 2021 begin!
A CBDC for Indonesia would bridge the old world with the new
Bank Indonesia now sees the value of stablecoins and digital currency. Here’s how a central bank-backed digital rupiah could lift the nation of 18,000 islands.
SEC Plans to Sue Ripple for Securities Violations: Reports
In interviews, the Ripple CEO told Fortune and the Wall Street Journal that the SEC plans to sue the company in the near future for offering unlicensed securities.
Hong Kong may be first global ‘sandbox’ for China’s DCEP digital yuan
Hong Kong is in talks to pilot-test China’s new digital currency. How would the e-CNY affect Hong Kong’s future cross-border payments with the mainland?
Bitcoin surges past $21,000 after more big investors buy in. Singapore’s DBS bank backs crypto exchange. Will Sweden switch to CBDC?
Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: Fine art goes digital with NFTs. Hong Kong in talks to pilot test China’s DCEP digital yuan.
ConsenSys’ Joe Lubin on Ethereum, DeFi and regulation in 2021
In this edition of Forkast Forecasts, the founder of ConsenSys shares his views on Ethereum 2.0, the dialogue with regulators and trends on DeFi adoption in the new year.
The best of Ethereum 2.0 is yet to come, says Infura GM
Ethereum 2.0 has transformed to proof of stake via its new Beacon Chain. When will Eth2 have sharding, smart contracts and more features?
Visa hops on USDC’s Eth2 wagon. China flexes DCEP digital currency in biggest test yet. Will US tighten Libra/Diem’s tether?
Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: S&P Dow Jones to launch crypto index. Walmart invests big in India’s PhonePe.
China widens DCEP digital yuan tests, advancing global ambitions
In biggest test yet of China’s CBDC, 100,000 Suzhou residents will use e-RMB for holiday shopping. Hong Kong is also now laying groundwork for future.
How blockchain can launch more space industry startups into orbit
As space becomes increasingly commercialized, blockchain has the potential to be the backbone of this new economic frontier, says Jeff Garzik of SpaceChain.
BlockFi and Visa launch bitcoin rewards credit card. Libra rebrands as Diem. Are investors like Guggenheim fueling BTC prices?
Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: Bank of International Settlements considers stablecoins. China sends PlusToken scam ringleaders to prison.
Ethereum 2.0 set for launch. Bitcoin hits record highs as Wall Street chief remains meh. Stellar hosts ARST and BRLT stablecoins.
Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: After BitMEX, are more CFTC crackdowns coming soon? China frees OKEx founder, exchange to resume services.
OECD shines light on the future of cryptocurrency taxation
As nations grapple with fitting cryptocurrency into existing tax regimes, OECD examines the crypto tax gaps and issues at its blockchain forum this week.
Bitcoin soars to new highs as Bitcoin Cash hard forks into two. Tron blows past Ethereum.
Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: Ethereum 2.0’s pre-launch hits turbulence. China taps Lakala for DCEP digital yuan’s payment system.
Blockchain is now on the front line against climate change
Blockchain technology is spurring more carbon credit trading while lowering costs for young investors to get involved, says Stefan Rust of Sonic Capital, in a special Forkast.News interview.
China’s OKEx crackdown is a warning shot to other crypto exchanges
Cryptocurrency exchanges flying flags of convenience is sure to annoy China’s regulators and may no longer be a viable business strategy.
Will Diginex’s backdoor Nasdaq listing start a crypto industry trend?
Diginex CEO Richard Byworth reveals that world’s largest cryptocurrency companies are now seeking his advice on going public. How did Diginex do it?
Ep. 38 | What Biden’s victory means for crypto. Bitcoin rides new wave. Ethereum 2.0 revs for launch.
Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: Will TRUMP crypto losers get second chance? Hong Kong to regulate cryptocurrency exchanges.
2021 may be the year of China’s DCEP and other digital currencies
A big trend now: Central banks exploring digital currencies that are ‘programmable money,’ says Charles d’Haussy of ConsenSys. Should users be concerned?
Ep. 37 | JPMorgan’s JPM Coin goes live. ConsenSys fueling CBDCs worldwide. Is DBS Bank planning a cryptocurrency exchange?
Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: Bitcoin paper’s 12th anniversary. New Huawei phone has DCEP wallet. FDA on blockchain and food safety.
TALES FROM THE CRYPT: 10 blockchain and Bitcoin horror stories for the ages
Just in time for Halloween, gather ’round for this blood-curdling crypto news flashback that will have you HODLing a blanket. Beware the death grip on Bitcoin wallets!
Ep. 36 | Bitcoin prices rise on PayPal cryptocurrency news. US wary of CBDC as China enacts digital currency law for DCEP rollout.
Other top crypto and blockchain news: USDC stablecoin coming to Solana blockchain. Investing in KYC/AML in India.
Chinese tech titan Jack Ma: digital currencies may be wave of future
Poised for historic IPO, Ant Group reveals via patent filings its business strategies for China’s new DCEP digital yuan — including how it would help enforce government regulations
How China is embracing blockchain, from DCEP to BSN
Blockchain has become a national priority in China’s public and private sectors, in contrast to many Western governments’ approach to cryptocurrency.
Blockchain and Space Law 3.0: How smart contracts can help govern the moon and outer space
As nations and private firms venture farther into the galaxy, blockchain and distributed ledger technology could help enforce rules and resolve conflicts.
Ep. 34 | Square buys $50 million worth of bitcoin. Google Cloud bets on EOS blockchain. CBDCs ramp up around the world.
Other top news: China accelerates digital currency testing with 50,000 e-RMB ‘red packets.’ Hong Kong as DCEP’s future sandbox. VC in India.
China pushes 50,000 people to spend DCEP right away, in biggest test yet of new digital currency
China advances its new e-RMB closer to launch after distributing to Shenzhen residents 10 million yuan in digital ‘red packets’ that will expire next week
Congested Ethereum hosts 96% of DeFi transactions. Who are its up-and-coming competitors?
2020 is banner year for DeFi as industry balloons by over $100 billion in volume from Q2 to Q3 — most of it riding on Ethereum, according to a new report
Is DeFi a $10 billion Ponzi scheme?
The risk of getting scammed is real, but DeFi also offers investors opportunities to earn yields in this pandemic economy, says Two Prime CEO Marc Fleury.
DeFi with Chinese characteristics? How China may centralize crypto finance
As Wild West DeFi surges to new heights with Chinese capital, China wants to build a separate digital finance network — in its own, tightly controlled image.
Whistleblower accuses Chinese crypto lender Babel Finance of misusing funds
Anonymous critics take to social media to claim that Babel is recklessly speculating with investor and client funds. The company denies wrongdoing.
Blockchain is shooting for the stars in the new Space Age
In the first of a special two-part series, Forkast.News examines how blockchain — from smart contracts to crowdfunding missions — could transform public and private ventures in outer space.
What China’s New Era politics means for the digital economy and decentralized finance
Access to China’s cryptocurrency market will accelerate as long as the government can keep out criminal activity, writes James Gillingham of Finxflo.
Esports gambling platform Unikrn settles with SEC for $6.1 million
SEC’s crackdown comes as more states permit online gambling, putting a further squeeze on the company once backed by celebrities like Ashton Kutcher.
Ep. 29 | DeFi surges to dizzying heights. Brazil jumps into CBDC race. Swiss ‘Crypto Valley’ tax collectors will soon accept bitcoin.
In other news: Public gets sneak peek at China’s digital currency DCEP in flash testing. US-China trade war threatens SMIC and bitcoin mining.
Ep. 28 | FTX buys Blockfolio in $150 million deal. What’s up with the 300 crypto-terror accounts? China forks BSN to retain control.
Also: Japan’s deputy PM Taro Aso urges greater blockchain cooperation. Inner Mongolia raises bitcoin mining costs. Fintech investments in S. Korea.
Will Ethereum 2.0’s launch be blockchain’s iPhone moment?
Released this week after much anticipation, Eth2 could finally become “the world’s computer” that the original Ethereum aspired to be. What challenges lie ahead?
Joe Lubin of ConsenSys on acquiring Quorum: ‘a match made in blockchain heaven’
In a special Forkast.News interview, the CEO who co-founded Ethereum discusses the deal with JPMorgan, DeFi’s rise, and expectations for Ethereum 2.0.
How cryptocurrency fuels protests and anti-government movements
As mass demonstrations rock the world, technologies like blockchain, social media and AI are escalating unrest and state crackdowns to the next level.
What the Twitter hack reveals about the need for digital identity security
Could blockchain technology and decentralized ID verification have prevented all those VIP Twitter accounts from being commandeered for a bitcoin scam?
Ethereum at the crossroads: Where does the popular blockchain go from here?
As Ethereum moves toward its 2.0 upgrade, here is a reflection on the open-source platform’s transformational impact on the blockchain ecosystem.
How close is China’s digital currency DCEP to launching?
As China’s digital currency begins large-scale testing, business giants like Didi and Meituan appear to be signing on. What does China’s central bank say?
Ep. 25 | Bitcoin surges in Hong Kong’s geopolitical storms. China widens DCEP testing. Ethereum Classic’s audacious attacks.
Other top news: Teen accused of masterminding Twitter VIP hack heads to court. Huobi launches DeFi lab. Fintech VC in Singapore and Indonesia.
China’s DCEP will be the world’s Sputnik money moment
China’s CBDC — the world’s first major government-issued digital currency — could launch this year. Are we ready for its financial and geopolitical impact?
Are US regulators finally warming to crypto and digital assets?
CFTC’s new plans for crypto regulations and OCC permitting banks to be crypto custodians could boost digital asset adoption. What’s next for FATF and SEC?
Work-from-home tips for managers: How to build and better manage a remote team
In the blockchain world, decentralized workplaces are already the norm. As Covid forces more companies to do the same, here are our pro tips for executives and managers.
How Fed-led inflation of USD could be good for bitcoin and digital assets
Covid-driven monetary policies are spurring growing investor interest in crypto assets and derivatives, says Richard Byworth, CEO of Diginex and EQUOS.io.
Why did SEC-sanctioned crypto companies receive PPP funds for Covid relief?
The $660 billion Paycheck Protection Program — intended to help America’s small businesses survive the pandemic — also gave financial aid to crypto firms accused of fraud, a Forkast.News investigation found.
WEF seeks greater financial inclusion to help poor, Covid-ravaged communities
Sheila Warren, World Economic Forum’s head of blockchain policy, also discusses the growing importance of digital currencies and how America is falling behind.
Ep. 20 | OKEx launches in Latin America. Cardano deploys Shelley. Crypto firms R3, IoTeX and iExec join Confidential Computing Consortium.
Other top news: US still dominates blockchain patents globally. First court case in China litigated with blockchain. VC in Indonesia and Singapore.
US could pilot digital dollar quickly if project gets green light, says Accenture’s blockchain lead
The Digital Dollar Project offers a path forward for the US to create a central bank digital currency. But will the government accept private sector help?
Ep. 19 | Will PayPal and Venmo offer crypto trading? FC Barcelona kicks off fan token. USDC ditches Ethereum for Algorand.
Other top news: Chainlink embraced by China’s blockchain network. Could Justin Sun’s infamy outshine TRON 4.0? Fintech in Thailand and Singapore.
Ep. 17 | Will India ban crypto again? VeChain wows Germany. Centrapay and bitcoin vending machines.
Other top news: Chinese high schoolers cram-studying bitcoin mining. Blockchain-powered lotteries in Cambodia. Startups in India, Singapore and UAE.
China’s new DCEP could fast-forward the nation into a cashless society
The rest of the world may worry over the new e-RMB and what it could do to the US dollar. But inside China, will yet another digital payment system even matter? Forkast.News finds out what the laobaixing think.
How Congress is learning about blockchain, one bit of bitcoin at a time
Covid stimulus needs and China’s new CBDC have heightened interest in digital assets, but US lawmakers are still trying to make sense of new technologies. In an interview with Forkast.News, Perianne Boring of Chamber of Digital Commerce also discusses prospects for a U.S. digital dollar, and more.
Ep. 15 | Is China’s digital RMB ready for prime time? Making the case for a US CBDC. Blockchain comes to Minecraft.
More top news: China exploring blockchain to cure gaming addiction. LG joins Hedera Hashgraph. Startups in Japan, Singapore and the Philippines.
Chris Giancarlo: digital dollar technology is coming ‘fast and furious.’ Can US seize the CBDC momentum?
Money is part of a nation’s financial infrastructure, and the dollar needs a digital upgrade for this changing world, says Giancarlo, former CFTC chair who now heads the Digital Dollar Project, in an exclusive interview with Forkast.News.
Digital dollar advocates lay out path to a US CBDC
Digital Dollar Project’s new white paper proposes a ‘third format of currency’ that would be interchangeable with paper money while preserving privacy. Is America ready for a government crypto dollar?
Contrarian wisdom on bitcoin mining. Also: how China’s DCEP could shake up the global financial system.
Adam Traidman of BRD discusses CBDCs in an age of intensifying US-China rivalries, and bitcoin halving’s surprising impact on crypto mining and profits.
Ep. 14 | Was that Satoshi? TRON 4.0 gets lukewarm reception. Blockchain Bill of Rights.
More top news: China pours billions into blockchain and other infrastructure. Ant Financial’s new smart contracts. VC in Singapore and India.
As Covid drives the world toward digital assets, what is the outlook for bitcoin and CBDCs?
Digital currencies will become increasingly common in the economy, with CBDCs as an ‘organic gateway.’ Should we worry about user privacy?
China hopes its new digital currency will internationalize the RMB. When might that day come?
China’s new DCEP — the world’s first major central bank digital currency — just piloted in 4 cities. When it is ready for mass use, could it challenge the US dollar’s hegemony in global trade and finance?
What is China’s new CBDC, and what is it not?
The central bank’s cash-like DCEP sets the stage for China’s next-gen financial infrastructure. Will it threaten the US dollar’s global supremacy? A University of Chicago Booth professor explains.
What does ‘universal basic income’ have to do with a digital dollar or a central bank digital currency?
Covid-19’s disruption of global economies could speed up changes to financial systems around the world. Will cash become obsolete?
Ep. 12 | Bitcoin halving elicits yawns. As China trials CBDC, Tim Draper predicts it will bomb. Is NEAR Ethereum’s new killer?
Other top news: TRON snags Covid aid. Free Telegram Open Network. China builds tech talent database. Bitmain’s civil war. Another win for Ripple.
Famed investor Tim Draper predicts both a digital dollar and Chinese DCEP “will bomb”
In an interview with Forkast.News, the billionaire venture capitalist also discusses globalism, regulatory arbitrage, the future of healthcare and why he thinks bitcoin is king.
Ep. 11 | Crypto surges before bitcoin halving. China taps SenseTime for CBDC rollout. BitMEX shuts out Japan.
Other top news: IBM’s Covid medical supply network. China now has over 1,000 blockchain firms. Startups in Japan, India and Singapore.