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Indian financial watchdog warns against celebrity crypto endorsements

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has suggested that no prominent public figures, including celebrities and sports personalities, should endorse crypto products, according to local media reports.   See related article: India’s crypto ads to get ‘highly risky’ banners starting April Fast facts Trading cryptocurrencies is not illegal in India, but the activity is […]

LFG looks to compensate small holders of UST

The Luna Foundation Guard (LFG) Monday said it is looking to use assets remaining with it to compensate UST users, prioritizing the smallest holders first. See related article: News of LUNA’s demise greatly exaggerated Fast facts The Singapore-based foundation was left with 313 Bitcoin compared with 80,393 Bitcoin on May 7, LFG said on its […]

South Korean authorities cite LUNA debacle to call for speedier crypto oversight

South Korean financial regulators have reportedly begun an emergency assessment of digital assets, geared toward accelerating the establishment of the “Digital Asset Basic Act” — the country’s upcoming regulation on cryptocurrencies. See related article: LUNA pumps and dumps repeatedly in weekend’s roller coaster run Fast facts The LUNA debacle will likely speed up the enactment […]

Coinbase blames India’s central bank for exit

The travails of the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the U.S., highlight the perilous path foreign companies have to brave in India’s evolving, but often ambivalent regulatory environment, especially when it comes to new technologies, and industries. 

Terra plunges back to earth as UST stablecoin loses dollar peg

Top blockchain and crypto news: UST knocked out of Luna orbit. Making NFTs Instagrammable. China’s black market ‘digital collectibles’ trade.

KuCoin raises US$150 mln at US$10B valuation

The series B round, led by Jump Crypto, helped push the cryptocurrency exchange’s valuation to US$10 billion, KuCoin said.

Bitcoin kimchi premium spikes to 2022 high before dropping to 3%

South Korea’s kimchi premium dropped to around 3.39% on Wednesday after climbing up to its highest since December, 6.28%, on Tuesday, according to CryptoQuant data. See related article: Korea’s Bitcoin kimchi premium explodes as Kakao rises on Upbit rumors Fast facts Kimchi premium describes the higher price gap between tokens on South Korean exchanges and […]

India GST Council weighs 28% tax on crypto transactions

Indian tax authorities are exploring the implementation of a 28% goods and services tax (GST) on all cryptocurrency transactions, adding to a 30% tax on profits from crypto asset trading that kicked in on April 1, according to local media reports.  See related article: After crypto, India wants to come after DeFi Fast facts The […]

De-layered and durable: How DeFi will boost the finance sector’s resilience

As decentralized finance redefines the way money moves, a do-or-die moment is approaching for traditional finance sector businesses, says Anthony Scaramucci.

Hong Kong retail, art hub rolls out the carpet for NFTs. What would Bruce Lee think?

Hong Kong’s K11 retail and art complex is host to three events to showcase the new, wild and expensive world of non-fungible tokens as (debatable) art.

De Beers to use Tracr blockchain to assure sourcing of diamonds

The diamond firm De Beers said it is deploying its Tracr blockchain, at scale, to provide immutable records of every diamond’s origin. See related article: Diamond sets record for most expensive object bought with crypto Fast facts De Beers, which developed Tracr, has already registered a quarter of its production by value on the network. […]

Binance, a16z among investors backing Musk’s Twitter bid with US$7B

Three dozen investors, including Binance, Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz and Fidelity Management & Research, have provided financing commitments of US$7.14 billion in support of Elon Musk’s bid to buy Twitter, regulatory filings show.  See related article: Twitter accepts Musk’s US$44B bid, sends Dogecoin to crypto top 10 Fast facts Oracle co-founder Lawrence Ellison was the […]

SEC places Chinese crypto mining rig maker Canaan on pre-delisting list

T​he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said it determined that Canaan used an auditor whose working papers cannot be inspected or investigated completely by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB).  See related article: Canaan to buy back up to $100M shares to drive value Fast facts The SEC Wednesday said it is placing 88 […]

Pakistan takes a fresh look at cryptocurrency

Pakistan’s federal government has formed three subcommittees to explore the future of cryptocurrencies and related services, local media report.  See related article: Pakistani central bank echoes RBI’s concerns over crypto Fast facts The first panel is chaired by the law secretary with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and […]

My brief wondrous life as an Axie Infinity gamer

Crypto rookie Joel Stein dives into Axie Infinity and the curious economics of ‘play to earn.’ Will his teenage gaming dreams come true?

The SEC is building a SWAT team to combat crypto crime

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said it is expanding its crypto asset enforcement team by adding 20 positions, in a move to bolster its efforts to combat cybercrime associated with cryptocurrency. See related article: Peirce dissents from SEC’s US$100M BlockFi settlement Fast facts The SEC on Tuesday said that its staff strength in a […]

The problems with retail crypto trading — and how to solve them

Young investors demand more accessibility, transparency and accountability than traders of yore, writes Joe Jowett of StrikeX. What are the solutions?

From in-print to online to on-chain: How will Web 3.0 reshape news media?

There’s never a dull moment in the news business. Now, as media outlets explore blockchain, the Associated Press’s Dwayne Desaulniers says more change is coming.

Bitcoin officially legal tender in Central African Republic

The Central African Republic (CAR) became the second country in the world — and the first in Africa — to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender on Wednesday. See related article: What does El Salvador’s new Bitcoin law mean for crypto markets? Fast facts President Faustin-Archange Touadera on Wednesday approved the bill regulating cryptocurrencies, which passed […]

Elon Musk is buying Twitter to colonize our headspace and send his pet DOGE to the moon

Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover isn’t really about free speech, writes Ben Armstrong, aka BitBoy Crypto. It’s an attempt to push you out of Bitcoin and sell your data.

CoinDCX double downs as the going gets tough in India

CoinDCX cofounder Sumit Gupta tells Forkast in an exclusive interview the crypto exchange that recently raised US$135 million will look to triple its headcount by the end of the year.

Grayscale fancies SEC green light for Bitcoin spot ETF

The cryptocurrency investment firm has stepped up its lobbying efforts with the U.S. regulator following its recent nod to a Bitcoin futures ETF. See related story: SEC comes around on Bitcoin ETFs Fast facts Grayscale’s lawyers have written to the Securities and Exchange Commission saying that its application for a Bitcoin spot exchange-traded fund (ETF) […]

No love for Putin. Binance denies sharing data with Russia

Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, denied sharing client data with Russian authorities, following a Reuters investigation into the exchange’s ties with the country.

A marathon not a sprint: How the US can win the digital asset race

Joe Biden’s executive order on crypto has put America on course for solid success in the digital asset space, says the Blockchain Association’s Kristin Smith.

NFT marketplaces responsible for keeping fakes out, Chinese court rules

Under Chinese copyright law, the court ruled a marketplace’s failure to ensure the uniqueness of an NFT constituted aiding infringement.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, Singapore tightens crypto oversight

A desire to stay in line with global anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism norms is forcing the city state’s hand when it comes to regulating cryptocurrency exchanges.

S.Korea eyes restraints on crypto unicorn Dunamu over monopoly concerns

The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) is reportedly planning to designate local crypto exchange Upbit owner Dunamu as an enterprise subject to limitations on mutual investment, which would add more regulations to the entity. See related article: Two crypto exchanges reach unicorn status in South Korea Fast facts A company with total assets over 10 […]

Axie Infinity’s latest fix to tokenomics has players up in arms 

An attempt to assuage Axie Infinity players miffed by falling earnings isn’t turning out too well for developer Sky Mavis, Forkast learns, as loyalists bemoan it may be too little, too late.

Is there a future for the NFT beyond digital art?

NFT technology became famous for $69 million digital art, but what will change the world are its myriad practical uses, writes Jan Hartmann of Banxa Labs.

India’s crypto exchanges switch to P2P, bank transfers

Crypto exchanges in India are switching to facilitating user-to-user bank transfers and inward remittances to work around a withdrawal of support from the developer of the country’s ubiquitous UPI payments system, local media report.   See related article: Coinbase snafu sets the cat among the crypto pigeons in India Fast facts Indian cryptocurrency exchanges are trying […]

Chasing my first crypto wallet down a rabbit hole

In Part 1 of a special Forkast series, crypto newcomer Joel Stein dips a toe into Bitcoin and Doge by opening his first-ever crypto wallet.

How Southeast Asia’s NFT ecosystem lifts up local artists

Providing access to global customers and higher income, NFTs are changing lives in some of the poorest places in the world, writes Katherine Ng.

Does the NFT correction foreshadow a nascent comeback?

The market for non-fungible tokens soared, then slumped. That doesn’t worry Spores Network’s Duc Luu, who’s betting on brands to fuel its future growth.

Bitcoin ATMs face existential threat in Hong Kong

Authorities in Hong Kong moving to block retail investors from accessing non-derivative crypto products could undermine the presence of Bitcoin ATMs in the city with the most crypto ATMs in Asia.

SEC comes around on Bitcoin ETFs

Oversight by the American commodities regulator of the Bitcoin futures ETF by Teucrium helped with the SEC approval.

Will London be Europe’s next crypto capital?

Top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: Britain’s crypto gamble. WAVES crashing. China’s big digital yuan push.

Singapore tightens regulations on crypto, again

Singapore on Tuesday passed a law requiring virtual asset service providers to be licensed if they do business overseas, according to Bloomberg.  See related article: How Singapore is reimagining its ‘Asian crypto hub’ image Fast facts The new legislation is an attempt by The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to ensure that it has adequate […]

India to make life hell for crypto investors: MP

India needs to discourage people from investing in cryptocurrencies and digital assets, a senior MP from the ruling party told Forkast in an exclusive interview.

How Bitcoin could become the collateral layer for the digital asset economy

Bitcoin is now a reserve asset for Terra’s UST. What does this portend for the $186 billion stablecoins market?

Calling a spade a spade holds Binance’s lesser known cofounder in good stead

As the world’s biggest cryptocurrency exchange battles the onslaught of regulators globally, cofounder Yi He is stepping out of the shadows to help steer the company.

South Korean banks seek green light on crypto

The Korea Federation of Banks (KFB) may request South Korea’s incoming presidential administration to approve local banks servicing cryptocurrencies, according to a leaked draft report. See related article: South Korea’s largest financial group mulls crypto ETFs Fast facts KFB, the largest body representing domestic lenders, wrote in its report that banks should be permitted to […]

European Union to track all crypto transfers

European lawmakers have voted to introduce new legislation designed to stop illicit flows amid industry pushback claiming the measures will stifle innovation and infringe on privacy. See related article: EU votes against de facto Bitcoin mining ban Fast facts The proposal requires crypto service providers to collect information on senders and beneficiaries in all crypto […]

Should Tether’s shrinking cash reserves be cause for investor worry?

USDT, the world’s largest stablecoin, is now backed by much smaller cash reserves than before. XREX analyzes the risks.
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Can Ethereum’s proof-of-stake transition save the planet?

Ethereum’s transition to proof-of-stake promises to dramatically lower energy consumption, curbing greenhouse gas emissions that would require an annual offset by a forest roughly the size of Belgium.

Is Dubai the new crypto promised land?

Top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: Dubai’s crypto caravan. Mt. Gox unlocked. Digital yuan in play again.

Binance wants to play ball with regulators

Binance is racing to anchor its sprawling global operations as regulators in China, where it was founded in 2017, go after firms for lax know-your-customer practices.

Crypto.com, Bybit book tickets to Dubai to set up UAE bases

Singapore-based cryptocurrency exchanges Crypto.com and Bybit have announced that they will be setting up offices in Dubai, as the industry continues its migration towards the United Arab Emirates (UAE).  See related article: As Binance shrinks away in Asia, will it put down roots in the Middle East? Fast facts See related article: Ripple launches first […]

India’s tax bogeyman is scaring off young crypto investors

The country’s attempt to profit from digital asset gains puts off new investors to the asset class, even as existing ones redeploy funds into traditional assets.

Ransomware attacks are growing in sophistication. What can stop them?

Aided by crypto like Monero, ransomware crimes are on the rise globally, writes Srinivas Mukkamala of Ivanti. Android users are especially vulnerable.

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.

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.

DeFi, NFT access at stake as FATF travel rule takes effect in South Korea

Flexibility allowed in new rule requiring crypto companies to comply with anti-money laundering guidelines leads to some confusion.

How to protect NFT intellectual property rights explored at Australian Blockchain Week

With explosive growth in the past 12 months, the non-fungible token industry is getting too big to ignore IP licenses, experts say.

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan ponies up tax on NFT sale

Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan is in the crosshairs of Indian tax authorities again, this time for NFT sales.

Meta files 8 trademark applications for cryptocurrency, metaverse

Meta, formerly Facebook, has filed eight trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) relating to blockchain, crypto and the social media giant’s metaverse push. See related article: Meta showcases focus on AI, announces new voice assistant program Fast facts One of these applications includes a trademark for cryptocurrency services including exchange […]

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 […]

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 […]

More courts in China accept blockchain-stored evidence

Sichuan and Inner Mongolia are two regions that recently announced their first cases using blockchain-stored evidence, local media reports. See related article: How blockchain technology is shaking up courtrooms in Asia Fast facts See related article: Court in China says trading in cryptocurrency ‘not protected by law’

FTX heads Down Under as Australia looks to crypto industry

Bahamas-based crypto exchange FTX announced the establishment of an Australian branch on Monday Asia time as part of the company’s global expansion plans. See related article: New crypto regulation — including tax reform — coming to Australia Fast facts FTX Australia will be headquartered in the nation’s financial capital Sydney and will be fully licensed […]

India may impose 28% GST on crypto transactions

The Indian government is working to determine whether cryptocurrencies can be classified as goods or services, which can impose a different taxation scheme on digital assets, local media reported. See related article: India’s crypto tax will incur losses for government, says WazirX CEO Fast facts Government officials believe crypto trading is similar to gambling and […]

Ukraine legalizes crypto; Korea’s crypto policy ideas

Ukrainian President signs a digital assets bill into law. Meanwhile in China, Cannan plans to buy back shares.

Zelenskyy legalizes cryptocurrency in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a virtual assets bill into law to legalize cryptocurrencies in a country that is receiving millions in crypto donations for military and humanitarian aid in its war against Russia. See related article: Ukraine crypto donations top $36M amid Russian invasion Fast facts The law determines the legal status for […]

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.

Crypto is playing a prominent role in the Ukraine War — on both sides of the conflict

Amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, two divergent narratives about crypto are being told, writes Alex Tapscott. Which version is correct?

FTX gets crypto exchange license in Dubai

Crypto exchange FTX has secured a digital asset exchange license in Dubai under new laws adopted last week and will be setting up a local headquarters in the city.  See related article: Crypto on the beach: FTX and other players find paradise in the Caribbean Fast facts Binance has also secured a license under the […]

Ripple proposes S. Korea distinguish between cryptocurrencies for regulatory clarity

Ripple, a blockchain-based digital payment network, has made a proposal for South Korea to make clear distinctions in cryptocurrencies between payment tokens, utility tokens, and security tokens, in a policy paper released on Tuesday. Read related article: Amid SEC lawsuit, Ripple buys back stock and raises value to US$15B Fast facts Ripple’s policy paper says […]

NFTs subject to existing tax rules in Singapore, FM says

Income from non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in Singapore will be subject to existing income tax rules, the Business Times reported, citing Singapore Finance Minister Lawrence Wong’s Friday speech in parliament.  See related article: Singapore prohibits crypto, NFT transactions in sanctions against Russia Fast facts However, individuals who receive capital gains from NFT transactions will not be […]

US bill targets e-CNY; Russian sanctions hurting public

Blockchain data analysis platform Chainalysis has launched a set of free sanction screening tools. Meanwhile, lawmakers in the US take aim at China’s digital yuan, or e-CNY, while Russian sanctions begin to highlight issues with financial sovereignty as hundreds of thousands of Russian and Ukrainian civilians are caught in the financial crossfire.

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.

Is cryptocurrency a workaround for sanctions against Russia?

War-mongering Russia is finding itself increasingly isolated. Can cryptocurrency help the rogue state soften the blow of sanctions?

Biden pushes the U.S. on CBDCs in sweeping crypto executive order

President Joe Biden on Wednesday urged the federal government to research and develop a digital dollar in an executive order describing broader directives for a coordinated and comprehensive U.S. approach to digital assets. See related article: CBDC tracker shows U.S. falling further behind Fast facts “My Administration places the highest urgency on research and development […]