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Crypto winter hits NFTs; Three Arrows Capital files for bankruptcy

Three Arrows Capital files for bankruptcy in the US. Meanwhile, SBF and FTX agrees deal with option to buy for up to US$240 million.

CEL soars 17%; reclaims spot in top 100 crypto by market cap

Celsius Network’s cryptocurrency CEL is up 32.1% over the past 14 days leading to Monday in Asia, even as speculation around the lender filing for bankruptcy heats up.  See related article: Celsius community adopts GameStop tactics to squeeze out short sellers Fast facts CEL token gained 17% over the past 24 hours, peaking at US$0.94, […]

Three Arrows Capital files for Chapter 15 bankruptcy

Crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital (3AC) filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy in a federal bankruptcy court in the Southern District of New York on Friday, in hopes to shield its U.S. assets after a court in the British Virgin Islands reportedly ordered the firm into liquidation last week. See related article: Three Arrows Capital […]

Cryptocurrencies a clear danger: India central bank chief

Cryptocurrencies are a “clear danger” and have the potential to disrupt financial stability, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Shaktikanta Das said.  See related article: Crypto crash justifies RBI’s stance: central bank chief Fast facts “Anything that derives value based on make believe, without any underlying, is just speculation under a sophisticated name,” Das said […]

MAS takes aim at Three Arrows Capital, does not impose penalty

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has “reprimanded” cryptocurrency hedge fund Three Arrows Capital (3AC) for misleading information and ignoring assets under management (AUM) limits, the central bank said in a statement on Thursday.  See related article: Three Arrows Capital lines up for liquidation Fast facts In August 2013, 3AC obtained its registered fund management […]

Garbage Pail Kids — NFTs 80’s legacy | NFT Moments in History Ep. 5

Forkast x CryptoSlam! are proud to present Moments in NFT History — an explainer video series hosted by Forkast’s Joel Flynn that gives you a front-row seat of history-in-the-making. The Covid-driven NFT boom paved the way for businesses to explore alternative blockchains as Ethereum gas fees soared to eye-watering heights.  At the forefront of that […]

3AC contagion fears; Saylor buys more Bitcoin

3AC has reportedly been told to liquidate. Meanwhile, Microstrategy’s Saylor buys another US$10 million worth of BTC.

India’s latest tax assault on crypto exchanges starts Friday

India’s government can’t seem to decide on following China with an outright ban on crypto trading. So is it bent instead on suffocating traders and exchanges with taxes?

K-pop logs in to the metaverse strung by idols’ vagaries, inability to tour

South Korea’s behemoth music industry is trying to sidestep its reliance on human performers by debuting virtual stars in the metaverse. But severing ties with fallible K-pop idols is easier said than done.

North Korea said to be responsible for Harmony Horizon hack

State-affiliated hacker group Lazarus is allegedly connected to the US$100 million hack on Harmony Protocol’s Horizon cross-chain bridge, blockchain analytics firm Elliptic said. See related article: Horizon’s US$100 mln crypto hack prompts FBI investigation Fast facts The attack on Harmony resembled previous hacks attributed to the Lazarus Group, such as exploiting multi-signature wallet keys, extensive […]

Why tougher crypto regulations are urgently needed

Lack of public trust remain a big barrier to crypto adoption, writes Tristan Roozendaal. Here’s why regulators should ‘move fast and break things.’

Marathon Digital says Montana storm knocked out most Bitcoin rigs

Marathon Digital, a major Bitcoin miner in the U.S., had to halt three-fourths of its mining operations in Montana due to power outages caused by a storm, reinforcing an earlier decision to move out of the region. See related article: Compass Mining CEO, CFO resign after utility payment default allegations Fast facts The Nasdaq-listed company […]

Three Arrows Capital lines up for liquidation

Crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital (3AC) has been ordered to liquidate as plummeting crypto prices left the firm unable to repay creditors, Sky News reported. See related article: Contagion risk from Three Arrows Capital weighs on Bitcoin, crypto Fast facts A court in the British Virgin Islands appointed two senior members of global advisory […]

Voyager calls time on Three Arrows as crypto fund teeters on the brink

Top blockchain and crypto news: Three Arrows fallout spreads. BIS calls BS on crypto. Chinese regulatory vacuum chills an NFT platform.

Tencent launches XR unit to develop ‘benchmark’ VR products

Tencent has launched an extended reality (XR) division, local media reported on Tuesday, citing Steven Ma, the senior vice president of the Chinese tech giant’s gaming arm Interactive Entertainment Group (IEG).  See related article: Tencent calls dibs on metaverse virtual concerts in patent application Fast facts Tencent will develop “benchmark” products for virtual reality (VR) […]

Wall Street seems to sense opportunity in distressed crypto markets

While critics say the bubble has burst on crypto, Wall Street is moving in to take advantage of what could be some fire-sale asset prices.

China’s alcohol lobby group seeks to standardize liquor NFTs

The China Alcoholic Drinks Association on Tuesday said its standards will cover but not be limited to cultural and creative products of liquor-based “digital collectibles” or the physical liquor accompanying such assets. See related article: Looking to invest in vintage wine? There’s an NFT coming for that Fast facts The group said the standards will […]

Chinese marketplace repurchases NFTs, citing uncertain policies

Non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace Yucang Digital Collectibles announced that it is buying back assets sold on its platform due to lack of regulatory clarity.  See related article: NFTs in China must be reviewed: China media watchdog Fast facts The marketplace said operations will continue, but sales and transfers of digital collectibles will be frozen and […]

Are we helpless against attacks on blockchain bridges?

Harmony’s Horizon cross-chain bridge is now the third of its kind to suffer a major hack this year. What are the alternatives that may be more secure?

Australia’s ANZ stablecoin used to purchase carbon credits

The Victor Smorgon Group has used ANZ Banking Group’s Australian dollar-pegged stablecoin, A$DC, to purchase tokenized carbon credits in a transaction facilitated by crypto asset investment firm ZeroCap. See related article: Australian crypto industry watches as sole trader charges two top banks with ‘debanking’ Fast facts The carbon credits were tokenized to create digital security […]

BIS warns over crypto; Crypto bailout battles

BIS warns over crypto, calling it unreliable as money. Meanwhile, Morgan Creek Capital counters FTX’s US$250 million BlockFi bailout.

Warnings on crypto, Bitcoin have materialized, says central bank body BIS

Deeper structural flaws in crypto make it unsuitable as the basis of a monetary system that serves society, the Bank for International Settlements said in its annual report.
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Kakao’s Klaytn partners with OpenSea for NFT expansion in Asia

Singapore-based public blockchain platform Klaytn and non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace OpenSea announced on Friday a partnership to bolster the Asian NFT ecosystem. See related article: Kakao’s Klaytn to build blockchain in China with BSN Fast facts The partnership includes conference collaborations and ecosystem grants to promote Asian NFT projects to the global audience. Klaytn is […]

How a market slump may be helping Singapore’s stance against retail crypto

One door closes and another opens, which seems to be what’s happening in Singapore as the crypto price slump restructures the trading environment.

Crypto lending platforms, DeFi seem to be having an Animal Farm moment

In a decentralized society envisaged under crypto, everybody is reportedly equal. But as the market strains under considerable stress, it’s showing some are more equal than others.

Crypto volatility hasn’t had macroeconomic implications so far: Jerome Powell

Testifying before the Senate Banking Committee on Wednesday, the chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve said the central bank is “not really seeing significant macroeconomic implications so far” with regard to the recent cryptocurrency volatility. See related article: Bitcoin, Ether recover as Fed guidance reduces policy uncertainty Fast facts Powell testified at the Senate Banking […]

South Korea’s SK Square said to put off crypto issuance

The tech investment arm of the South Korean conglomerate reportedly halted the plan to issue its own cryptocurrency, citing the macroeconomic environment and trust issues related to cryptocurrencies. See related article: South Korea’s second-largest conglomerate to issue own cryptocurrency  Fast facts SK Square told local news agency Newsis that preparations for trademark applications and the […]

New York City pride parade will also be marching through the metaverse

LGBT event organizers see the metaverse as technology of the emerging Web3.0 world that opens doors and opportunities for marginalized communities.

eBay acquires NFT marketplace KnownOrigin

E-commerce giant eBay has acquired U.K.-based non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace KnownOrigin, the company announced in a press release on Wednesday.  See related article: Alibaba Cloud launches service to build NFT marketplaces Fast facts According to the press release, both companies signed and closed the deal on Tuesday, but the purchase price and further details on […]

Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies return to red with soaring UK inflation

Bitcoin dropped below US$20,000 for the third time in a week on Thursday morning in Asia as news of record inflation in the U.K. and warnings of a recession hit crypto markets. See related article: Crypto on a roller coaster as market braces for Fed guidance on rates Fast facts Bitcoin was trading down 3.5% […]

Singapore grants Crypto.com in-principle approval toward offering payment services

The Singapore-based cryptocurrency exchange Wednesday said the approval toward a license will eventually allow it to offer a range of payment services in the city-state. See related article: Singapore warms up to crypto industry — on its own terms Fast facts Crypto.com has received an in-principle approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for […]

Cardano delays upgrade; Shib and Doge make gains

Dogecoin and Shiba Inu make gains as Elon Musks tweets support. Meanwhile, Vauld joins other crypto exchanges in axing staff.

STEPN’ing it up with crypto move-to-earn

Enticed by promises of crypto rewards, Joel Stein hits the streets of Los Angeles with a beautiful NFT sneaker. What does he earn — and learn?

Chinese maker of virtual garment designing software raises nearly US$100 mln

Linctex Digital Technology, headquartered in China’s southeastern province of Zhejiang, Tuesday said the pre B+ round included commitments from existing investors Hillhouse Ventures and CDH Investments. See related article: Fashion, art, games and community: What does a decentralized metaverse mean for you? Fast facts Linctex’s software allows designers to create virtual wear, digitize physical fabric, […]

Pumped by Elon Musk, Dogecoin gains amid slow market recovery

Dogecoin and Shiba Inu have been staging a strong comeback since Elon Musk came out on Sunday supporting the former. See related article: Has ‘Crypto Winter’ arrived with Bitcoin, Ether prices falling? Fast facts Dogecoin rose more than 15% in morning trade on Wednesday in Asia, according to CoinMarketCap data. The memecoin rose to a […]

Cardano delays Vasil blockchain upgrade, citing bugs and ‘abundance of caution’

Input Output Global (IOG), the development company that runs the Cardano blockchain, on Monday said it will postpone the testnet of the network’s Vasil hard fork to the end of June, citing software bugs and a focus on quality and security. See related story: Cardano’s Alonzo Purple testnet begins onboarding users Fast facts The engineering […]

Valar Ventures-backed Vauld to lay off 30% of staff

The Singapore-based cryptocurrency exchange said the actions of a “few market participants” are creating a lot of uncertainty in the eyes of customers. See related article: ‘Buckle up’ for downsizing crypto market as employees laid off Fast facts The layoffs impact every team with marketing and talent acquisition departments being affected the most, as Vauld […]

China’s Guizhou province to slap backdated power charges on uncovered crypto miners

Another Chinese province has introduced higher retroactive electricity charges for cryptocurrency mining projects when they are discovered, a form of financial penalty on the banned activity. See related article: China seizes over 3,500 Bitcoin mining rigs, hikes electricity rates Fast facts The Guizhou Provincial Development and Reform Commission on Monday said any uncovered cryptocurrency mining […]

BTC Markets first crypto firm to win Australian Financial Service License

Australian cryptocurrency exchange BTC Markets announced on Tuesday it has become the first crypto firm to receive an Australian Financial Service License (AFSL) from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). See related article: What does the new Australian Labor government mean for the crypto industry? Fast facts BTC Markets says the license will enable […]

Chinese NFT platform apologizes for using Hong Kong movie star Louis Koo’s images

Lianwan, a Chinese “digital collectibles” platform that sells blockchain-based images, had claimed it was working with the Hong Kong action star. But Koo’s agency has denied any involvement. See related article: Storm in a teacup? WeChat bans account for flipping NFTs Fast facts On Saturday, Lianwan apologized for using Hong Kong action star Louis Koo […]

ProShares to launch Bitcoin short ETF

ProShares will launch a short Bitcoin-backed exchange-traded fund (ETF) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the U.S.-based ETF issuer announced on Monday. See related article: Bitcoin price hits all-time high after ProShares ETF debut Fast facts ProShares Short Bitcoin Strategy ETF is scheduled to begin trading on the NYSE on Tuesday under the ticker […]

Tax, bear market temper India’s enthusiasm for NFTs

High taxes amid a bear market are tempering the enthusiasm for NFTs among Indians. But industry participants expect the country’s unique cultural and demographic characteristics to provide a long-term fillip to the industry.

S. Korea’s 20% crypto tax delayed by two more years

South Korea is delaying its planned crypto tax on digital assets for another two years, Ministry of Economy and Finance tax policy chief Ko Kwang-hyo announced on Thursday. See related article: S.Korea finance minister nominee wants to delay crypto tax for two years Fast facts A 20% tax on crypto asset gains was scheduled to […]

Game theory: What’s holding back an explosion of play-to-earn?

Despite its rising popularity, GameFi has lessons to learn from Web 2.0 and elsewhere before it can gain a comparable user base, says Ethlas chief Wui Ngiap Foo.

Contagion risk from Three Arrows Capital weighs on Bitcoin, crypto

After a short-lived recovery, Bitcoin, Ether and other cryptocurrencies are trading lower on fears of a contagion risk from a possible financial implosion at Three Arrows Capital.

Hong Kong to research retail CBDC cybersecurity with Israel, BIS

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced a joint research project with the Bank of Israel (BOI) and the Bank for International Settlements Innovation Hub (BISIH) Hong Kong Centre to study cybersecurity issues in retail central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). See related article: Hong Kong now exploring retail CBDC in upcoming Project Aurum Fast facts […]

Tether market cap shrinks below US$70B, lowest since October 2021

The market capitalization of Tether, the world’s largest stablecoin, has dipped to an eight-month low of US$69.4 billion, according to CoinGecko data. See related article: Tether, USDT market cap has dropped by US$10B since UST collapse Fast facts Tether’s market cap has fallen almost US$3 billion since June 14 as investors pull out in a […]

BlockFi among those that foreclosed on Three Arrows Capital: report

BlockFi CEO Zac Prince Thursday said the U.S.-based crypto lender foreclosed on a “large client that failed to meet its obligations” following reports that BlockFi was part of the lenders group that canceled some US$400 million in loans made out to Three Arrows Capital (3AC). See related article: Client accuses Bitcoin, Ethereum backer Three Arrows […]

Bitcoin, crypto return to red after rate hike rally wears off

Thursday’s crypto market recovery was short-lived as most major tokens fell by at least 7% in the past day, with Bitcoin trading within reach of US$20,000 for the first time since December 2020. See related article: Bitcoin, Ether recover as Fed guidance reduces policy uncertainty Fast facts The world’s largest cryptocurrency fell up to 10% […]

Client accuses Bitcoin, Ethereum backer Three Arrows Capital of misappropriating funds

The crypto hedge fund got called out on social media Thursday for allegedly misappropriating US$1 million to cover risks of insolvency.

Crypto rises on Fed hike; Three Arrows insolvency concerns

Bitcoin, Ethereum and TRX recover as the Federal Reserve raises interest rates. Meanwhile, Three Arrows Capital faces liquidation concerns.

A few large trades likely broke UST’s peg: Chainalysis

Analysis by the blockchain data platform found the collapse of TerraUSD (UST) took place in three stages — a few large trades broke UST’s peg triggering a selloff, there were attempts to restore the peg, but continued selloff finally drained all funds. See related article: Run on UST cuts the ground from under Terra’s feet Fast facts […]

What lessons can we learn from Terra’s LUNA/UST meltdown?

Terra’s LUNA/UST death spiral was entirely predictable — and it served as a stress test for better-designed stablecoins, writes Gytis Trilikauskis of MEV Capital.

How DAOs create transparency in government operations | The Great Disruption Ep. 06

Centralized government structures have been in place for centuries. The model is often criticized for inefficiencies and lack of transparency. Can decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) become the future standard for community governance? Find out in this Forkast video explainer.  What you’ll learn: How DAOs can make enhance government operations. How blockchain can decentralize and secure […]

Cryptocurrencies take a pounding as inflation worries spark sell-off

Top blockchain and crypto news: Cryptos sink as inflation rises. Celsius freeze sends CEL token tumbling. Are Inner Mongolia’s miners catching a break?

Crypto on a roller coaster as market braces for Fed guidance on rates

Crypto markets posted some gains in Asia trading after a pummeling this week, but the sentiment shifted back to negative as markets across the board try to second-guess the Federal Reserve’s thinking on interest rates.

Has ‘Crypto Winter’ arrived with Bitcoin, Ether prices falling?

After what seems like a dead cat bounce, cryptocurrencies are falling again in Asian trade as markets head into the Federal Reserve’s announcement of its decision on interest rates on June 15.
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Tron bolsters reserves again; Fed decision market wobbles

The USDD reserves sees US$500 million worth of USDC added to it. Meanwhile, the US Federal Reserve’s rate decision has the crypto market bracing for itself.

US crypto bill could undermine market protections: SEC, Gensler

The recently proposed U.S. cryptocurrency bill could undermine the existing regulatory framework for broader capital markets, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Gary Gensler said on Tuesday. See related article: Hold onto your crypto bags, the regulators are coming Fast facts Speaking at the Wall Street Journal’s CFO Network Summit, Gensler said many crypto companies […]

Crypto market slumps; USDD depegging fears

USDD loses its dollar parity. Meanwhile, Binance resumes Bitcoin withdrawals.

Bitcoin, Ether bear brunt of market selloff amid fears of Fed rate increase

Still recovering from the Terra-LUNA debacle that wiped off billions of dollars in investor wealth, people sold off cryptocurrencies amid a market slump over expectations that the Fed will act faster to tame inflation.
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TRON founder pledges US$2B defense fund after USDD stablecoin loses dollar parity

TRON founder Justin Sun on Monday said he will set up a US$2 billion fund to support the dollar peg of the project’s stablecoin USDD and “fight” against short sellers, after the stablecoin’s price fell to US$0.97. See related article: Binance resumes Bitcoin withdrawals Fast facts USDD uses an algorithmic mechanism to keep its dollar […]

MicroStrategy, crypto firm shares plunge with Bitcoin’s freefall

MicroStrategy is leading Marathon, Riot and Coinbase in a cryptocurrency-exposed stock selloff, closing down over 25% on Monday, as the firm’s Bitcoin holdings dropped by around US$1 billion.  See related article: MicroStrategy posts Q1 revenue loss amid falling Bitcoin price Fast facts MicroStrategy became entangled with Bitcoin after founder Michael Saylor added record amounts to […]

Inflation bashes crypto market; South Korea’s new listing rules

Inflation hits crypto markets hard as Bitcoin drops almost 8%. Meanwhile, South Korean exchanges work on new rules to prevent another Terra Luna incident.

The metaverse isn’t a fad but part of the future economy

An open and interoperable metaverse economy will drive consumer activity — and it’s on a similar track for growth as e-commerce, writes Ben Caselin of AAX.

Bitcoin price drops more than 8% as higher-than-expected inflation spooks markets

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and other major altcoins dropped significantly over the weekend, as U.S. equity markets faced one of their worst weeks in months. See related article: Has Bitcoin become a victim of its own success? Fast facts Bitcoin dropped 8.3% over the past 24 hours to US$25,240.08, according to CoinMarketCap data, as higher-than-expected inflation […]

Tokenized assets can bring trillions of dollars to DeFi: JPMorgan, Onyx

JPMorgan Chase & Co. blockchain business unit Onyx aims to bring trillions of dollars in tokenized assets to decentralized finance (DeFi), Onyx head of digital assets Tyrone Lobban said at CoinDesk’s Consensus 2022 conference.  See related article: JPMorgan sees upside for Bitcoin, crypto amid market downturn Fast facts “Over time, we think tokenizing U.S. Treasurys […]

Do Kwon loses appeal; India’s crypto pirate warning

As the Terra saga continues to unfold, Do Kwon loses an appeal against the SEC. Meanwhile, Circle’s head of policy slams CBDCs.

Crypto buyers in emerging economies find themselves caught between a rock and a hard place

Cryptocurrencies can offer citizens in emerging economies a potential buffer against runaway inflation and financial mismanagement by governments. But buying them increasingly means navigating onerous regulations and punishing taxes.

Cryptocurrencies like ‘world of Caribbean pirates’: India chief economic adviser

India’s chief economic adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran compared cryptocurrencies to the “world of Caribbean pirates” in the absence of regulation where “winners take it all” from somebody else, local media reported.  Fast facts See related article: Coinbase blames India’s central bank for exit Cryptocurrencies fail to satisfy basic requirements such as having store value, widespread […]

Short selling is good for any market, including crypto: Jim Rogers

With so-called stablecoins coming under a cloud from the multibillion-dollar collapse last month of the TerraUST stablecoin, Forkast spoke to Singapore-based investor and financial commentator Jim Rogers for his view on these types of coins as well as the relevance of short sellers in the cryptocurrency market. The former cofounder of the Quantum Fund and […]

Alibaba Cloud launches service to build NFT marketplaces

Alibaba Cloud on Wednesday said its service will help build NFT marketplaces in a fast and reliable way, without addressing compliance issues. See related article: Resist the temptation on NFTs, Chinese state-backed developer says Fast facts See related article: Move-to-earn app STEPN to limit service in China