Forkast.News is now Forkast Labs

Terra 2.0 delayed; India’s Non Fungible League

StepN limits their services in China. Meanwhile, Terra 2.0 poses questions relating to investor trust.

Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto, Web 3.0 warchest swells to US$7.6B

a16z crypto said its fourth fund raised US$4.5 billion, bringing the total amount of funds raised for investment in crypto and Web 3.0 startups by the famed Silicon Valley venture capital firm to more than US$7.6 billion. See related article: Binance, a16z among investors backing Musk’s Twitter bid with US$7B Fast facts Around US$1.5 billion […]

Crypto tax preparer CoinTracker launches in India

The digital assets tax compliance and portfolio tracking firm’s launch in India comes after the country announced a series of measures to benefit off the gains made in cryptocurrencies.  See related article: India tax breaks crypto’s back Fast facts Crypto users in India can use CoinTracker to aggregate and reconcile cryptocurrency and non-fungible token (NFT) […]

How can I become a metaverse real estate mogul?

If buying a home is the American Dream and key to building wealth, what is that like in the metaverse? Crypto newcomer Joel Stein finds out.

China’s BSN to launch overseas public chain without crypto support

China’s state-backed infrastructure Blockchain-based Service Network (BSN) announced on Tuesday that it is preparing the launch of BSN Spartan on Aug. 31, a new international network for non-cryptocurrency public chains. See related article: Resist the temptation on NFTs, Chinese state-backed developer says Fast facts “We’re not against public chains, but we’re against crypto,” BSN developer […]

Are we heading for a post-Terra crypto winter?

Terra’s LUNA and UST implosion is dragging down an already ailing market. What do other developments suggest about crypto’s long-term future?

Terra cofounder Do Kwon’s taxing questions; China’s underground mining

Terra co-founder responds to office closure allegations. Meanwhile, China re-emerges as a crypto mining hub despite 2021 ban.

Beeple’s Twitter account latest victim to phishing scam hacks

The Twitter account of non-fungible token (NFT) artist Mike Winkelmann, widely known as Beeple, was briefly hacked on Sunday and used to promote a phishing scam to drain over US$72,000 from Ether wallets of victims.   See related article: Twitter hacker takes over verified accounts to promote fake Azuki NFT drop Fast facts The hacker shared […]

Mastering the metaverse: TradFi’s space race to ‘the next internet’

Blockchain was once associated overwhelmingly with cryptocurrencies — and specifically its poster children, Bitcoin and Ethereum. The latter, in particular, has thrust the industry forwards into the realm of smart contracts integration.  Ethereum started to bear fruit arguably most prominently last year amid a boom in non-fungible tokens (NFTs), while decentralized finance (DeFi) offered a […]

G7 calls for regulation; Bored Ape transfer blocked

South Korean LUNA investors file lawsuit against Terra. Meanwhile, Singapore’s High Court blocks sale of a Bored Ape NFT.

Sony Music’s RCA Records Web3 venture breaks into Greater China

Sony Music Entertainment has set up a new Greater China venture for its American label RCA Records to explore opportunities in streaming, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and the metaverse. See related article: John Legend’s OurSong raises US$7.5 mln to fuel music NFTs Fast facts The new label, dubbed “RCA Records Greater China,” will make key hires […]

Ripple to invest US$100 mln for carbon removal in race to zero emissions

Blockchain-based payments network Ripple announced its plans to invest US$100 million in climate-focused fintechs and carbon removal technology for the modernization of carbon markets, the company said in a press release.  See related article: How blockchain is solving the climate crisis Fast facts The funding will also continue to support new functionality and developer tools […]

A bipartisan case for why the US needs a Web3 regulatory overhaul

In a special op-ed, 2 former CFTC chiefs and a crypto executive make the case for why the US must prioritize policies that support the new Web3 economy.
, and

Blood moon: Terra’s LUNA rescue plan panned by industry, investors

Top blockchain and crypto news: Terra puts down the fork. Bitcoin loses its shine in Singapore. China’s miners dig in.

Netflix Sweet Home producer to build K-drama metaverse in the Sandbox

The Sandbox metaverse has partnered with Studio Dragon, a Korean drama production company behind titles Crash Landing on You, Sweet Home and Kingdom: Ashin of the North, to build a K-drama metaverse. See related article: South Korea wants to be the physical home of the metaverse Fast facts The Sandbox said on Tuesday the pair […]

OpenSea delists Solana Okay Bears knockoff Not Okay Bears

Solana-based non-fungible token (NFT) collection Okay Bears copycat “Not Okay Bears” has been delisted from marketplace OpenSea after recording millions of dollars in sales. See related article: Okay Bears NFTs record sellout helps Solana net US$2B in sales Fast facts Not Okay Bears are mirror images of the 10,000 versions of the original, and have […]

Singapore’s Temasek says doesn’t own Bitcoin, but prepping for tokenized assets

The Bitcoin community got a lift last year when it was reported Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund had bought Bitcoin. The company told Forkast in an interview that they do not own BTC, but they are keen on blockchain investments.

Kakao’s Klaytn to build blockchain in China with BSN

Klaytn, South Korean internet giant Kakao’s public blockchain, will build an open-permissioned blockchain for China’s state-backed Blockchain-based Service Network’s (BSN) infrastructure for the Middle Kingdom’s domestic use. See related article: Resist the temptation on NFTs, Chinese state-backed developer says Fast facts Klaytn said on Tuesday it will take part in establishing the Chongqing Chain, a […]

Australia’s taxman starts knocking on cryptocurrency investors’ doors

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) warned the country’s cryptocurrency investors to appropriately report any capital gains or losses from digital assets — including non-fungible tokens (NFTs) — in an announcement on Sunday ahead of the upcoming tax season, starting July 1. See related article: Australian Tax Office warns: taxpayers on the hook for crypto tax […]

China state paper slams crypto and LUNA crash; applauds crypto ban

Chinese state-backed publication Economic Daily cited LUNA and UST’s crash to state cryptocurrencies “once again, proved its own risks and that it is a bubble” amid the Federal Reserve’s rate hike. See related article: Chinese runners offer substitute running to earn StepN’s GMT for commission Fast facts See related article: Tax authorities in China jump […]

Gimme shelter: Crypto companies head offshore as they hanker for regulation

A developmental shift in the cryptocurrency industry is ushering in geographical shifts among crypto companies, with a number of businesses abandoning locations once hailed as crypto hubs in favor of jurisdictions with regulatory regimes more to their liking.  Forkast sat down with two of the crypto industry’s rainmakers who are among those spearheading this trend […]

Chinese runners offer substitute running to earn STEPN’s GMT for commission

Over 170 advertisements in Chinese tech titan Alibaba’s second-hand marketplace are offering running services to earn cryptocurrency GMT for STEPN users in exchange for fiat commissions.  See related article: China’s diktat against NFT flipping spawns an ingenious industry Fast facts STEPN is a blockchain-based decentralized application that allows users to earn GMT cryptocurrency rewards by […]

Hong Kong police arrest suspect in nearly US$200,000 crypto theft

Hong Kong police announced on Tuesday the arrest of a 24-year-old who is suspected of stealing HK$1.5 million (US$191,076) in cryptocurrencies in a physical cash-to-crypto transaction.  See related article: Hong Kong sees high engagement with crypto, Visa research shows Fast facts The police labeled the rare on-site cryptocurrency theft as a serious crime punishable by […]

South Korea hopes to institutionalize crypto by 2024

South Korea’s new administration under President Yoon Suk-yeol announced it plans to establish a new regulatory framework for crypto institutionalization to go into effect by 2024 after proposing legislation in 2023. See related article: A crypto bull wins the presidency: What it means for South Korea Fast facts Yoon’s administration intends to develop a bill […]

China’s industry lobby forms metaverse committee to help draft standards

China’s state-backed computer industry association set up a dedicated committee for metaverse development on Wednesday amid the country’s growing expansion into the virtual-reality world, local media reported. See related article: ‘Metaverse’ enters government radar at China’s Two Sessions Fast facts In an online seminar organized Wednesday by the industry lobby, Tan Jianrong, a professor of […]

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.

Covid-19, postponed Asian Games to push digital yuan into the slow lane?

China’s central bank is driving the adoption of the digital currency, but a spate of lockdowns is slowing the economy and raising questions about the rollout.

Coinbase shares extend free fall on drop in crypto trading, loss

Coinbase shares are down some 80% from their 52-week high of US$368.90 a share on Nov. 9 through Monday, closing at US$72.99. The stock dropped 19.5% overnight after the U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange reported a Q1 net loss of US$430 million as trading volume declined 44%. See related article: Coinbase NFT marketplace is now open to […]

Azuki fortunes reverse as sales soar after floor price drop

Azuki non-fungible token (NFT) sales rose by more than 800% in the past 24 hours after a 50% floor price dive due to rug pull allegations against the founder. See related article: Twitter hacker takes over verified accounts to promote fake Azuki NFT drop Fast facts More than US$50 million worth of Azukis have been […]

Run on UST cuts the ground from under Terra’s feet

A probable run on terraUSD (UST) has weighed on the ability of the company and the non-profit behind the pioneering stablecoin project to defend its dollar peg.

How tokenization could transform Hong Kong’s fixed income markets

Tokenizing capital markets could offer greater efficiency and liquidity. How would that work in Hong Kong’s regulatory environment?
and

Why Gen Z could turn to DeFi mortgages to build real estate wealth 

Gen Z is already keen on metaverse real estate. Will using DeFi to finance property deals — in the real or virtual world — be the next frontier?

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.

Gaming startup Untamed Planet gets US$24.3 mln to build natural world in the metaverse

Untamed Planet has closed a Series A funding round led by Animoca Brands and built a partnership with Animoca’s video game arm nWay to create a natural world in the metaverse, Animoca said in a press release. See related article: Need for Speed gets Hong Kong’s Animoca in driver’s seat Fast facts The project, the […]

10 Bored Apes win features on Monkey Shoulder bottles for royalties

Luxury liquor non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace BlockBar has selected 10 Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) avatars to be featured on 100 Monkey Shoulder limited edition NFT bottles, earning rights to 5% of sales in royalties.  See related article: BlockBar and Monkey Shoulder partner for BAYC exclusive NFTs Fast facts The 10 BAYCs selected by BlockBar […]

Has Bitcoin become a victim of its own success?

Except for a bout of recession in March 2020, Bitcoin has been fairly resilient to the vagaries of global financial crisis. But with murmurs of another recession gaining steam, Forkast examines the cryptocurrency’s relevance as a safe haven.

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?

S.Korea’s incoming administration pushes to end ICO drought

South Korean president-elect Yoon Suk-yeol’s administration has included approval of initial coin offerings (ICOs) among its 110 national tasks announced Monday. See related article: Crypto is presidential election campaign issue for South Korea Fast facts The right-wing government will prepare a two-lane regulatory framework for ICOs by classifying digital assets as securities and non-securities. The […]

Hockenheimring racetrack joins Animoca Brands’ REVV ecosystem

Blockchain unicorn Animoca Brands said it has signed a licensing deal to include the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg racetrack in its REVV Motorsport ecosystem of play-to-earn racing games. See related article: Need for Speed gets Hong Kong’s Animoca in driver’s seat Fast facts Animoca Brands will mint and sell non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that represent partial ownership of […]

Square Enix sells Tomb Raider and other titles, raising cash for blockchain ventures

Japanese gaming giant Square Enix announced Monday that it is selling three of its gaming studios to Sweden-based Embracer Group for US$300 million and will use the funds for new businesses in blockchain technology, artificial intelligence and the cloud. See related article: Japan’s Square Enix reveals blockchain gaming ambitions for 2022 Fast facts Square Enix […]

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?

Shiba Inu explained — diving beyond the memecoin

Following a year of explosive price gains, the SHIB token is inching closer toward becoming a top 10 cryptocurrency. Will this so-called “Dogecoin killer” succeed? Forkast.News explores what’s in store for Shiba Inu.

Solana loses consensus after bots flood network, SOL takes hit

Solana suffered another outage on Sunday Asia time, after the network lost consensus due to bots flooding the non-fungible token (NFT) minting tool “Candy Machine,” spamming more than six million transactions per second.  See related article: Solana DeFi avoids meltdown as Wormhole loss replaced Fast facts The network was down for about seven hours before […]

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.

Perpetrator of South Korea’s ‘Bitcoin-gate’ untraceable

A loophole in South Korea’s recent ‘Travel Rule’ means the North Korean hacker behind the stunning espionage saga involving Bitcoin may evade authorities, Forkast learns.

Ethereum’s revenue falls by 44% as average gas fee drops 88% on quarter: Q1 report

Ethereum’s network revenue from gas fees totaled US$2.4 billion in the first quarter of 2022, down 44% from US$4.34 billion in Q4 2021, while 87% of the revenue, or around US$2.1 billion worth of ETH tokens, were burned, according to Bankless’ Q1 report of the blockchain. See related article: Amount of Ether burnt since EIP […]

Flipkart launches innovation lab to explore future of e-commerce

Flipkart, the Indian e-commerce marketplace, plans to explore Web 3.0 and metaverse use cases including non-fungible-tokens, virtual storefronts, play-to-earn and other blockchain technologies under its new initiative, Flipkart Labs, the company said.  See related article: Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com offers NFTs despite state media criticisms Fast facts Flipkart Labs, based in Bengaluru, will also serve […]

ApeCoin cracks US$26, now largest metaverse token ahead of Otherside

ApeCoin (APE) set a new high at US$26.70 on Friday morning Asia time, and is now the largest metaverse token by market cap, ahead of the launch of the Otherside on Saturday.  See related article: What is ApeCoin and How It Made The Bored Apes Richer Fast facts The APE ecosystem’s governance token was trading […]

Singapore’s responsible crypto aim; Okay Bears storm the charts

Singapore says it wants to be a “responsible crypto hub”. Meanwhile, the Okay Bears lift Solana’s sales figures.

Two charged over North Korea sanctions; Crypto market falls

U.S. Justice Department charges two Europeans for aiding North Korea. Meanwhile, Shanghai’s Covid lockdown popularizes blockchain.

What is ApeCoin and How It Made The Bored Apes Richer

Bored Ape Yacht Club owners rejoiced, as ApeCoin launched with a generous airdrop for the NFT collection’s holders. Learn what ApeCoin is and how it made the Bored Apes richer in this Forkast explainer.

Is Elon Musk’s Twitter grab good for crypto?

Top blockchain and crypto news: Tweet dreams come true for world’s richest man. Instagram scam hits Bored Apes. Bilibili tests China’s NFT boundaries.

New US$1B crypto fund lands backing from a16z, Solana founders

Former Microsoft strategist Joe McCann’s new crypto fund Asymmetric has gained backing from a16z’s Marc Andreessen and Solana cofounders Anatoly Yakovenko and Raj Gokal, The Block reported. See related article: KuCoin launches $100 mln fund for NFT projects Fast facts Asymmetric is aiming to raise US$1 billion to be split into a venture investment fund […]

DOGE jumps on Twitter deal; Australian crypto ETFs delay

Dogecoin skyrockets as Elon Musk’s Twitter deal finalizes. Meanwhile, a Korean music platform registers NFTs patent.

What is Axie Infinity and how is it ushering in gaming 3.0?

Axie Infinity is a blockchain-based game that rewards players with cryptocurrencies and NFTs. Learn all about how Axie Infinity is creating a play-to-earn revolution in this Forkast explainer.

OCBC Bank joins MVGX in push to help firms go carbon neutral

Singapore’s OCBC Bank has partnered with MetaVerse Green Exchange (MVGX) to develop financial solutions, including tokenized carbon credits, to help large corporations offset their carbon emissions, according to a statement. See related article: Crypto exchange Gemini buys carbon offsets, pledges carbon-neutrality Fast facts The tokenized carbon credits, due to launch later this year, will use […]

China’s sports brand Li Ning to showcase Bored Ape Yacht Club

Li Ning, a leading Chinese sportswear and equipment company headquartered in Beijing, is set to release a line of clothing featuring images of the Bored Ape Yacht Club #4102, as the brand looks to take advantage of the growing popularity of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). See related article: Chinese Communist Party paper to “develop” NFTs Fast […]

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.

Cryptocurrency investors in South Korea catch a break on ‘Travel Rule’

A month after South Korea adopted the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) travel rule, two solution providers VerifyVASP and CODE have linked their services on Monday to allow seamless access to exchanges for investors. See related article: DeFi, NFT access at stake as FATF travel rule takes effect in South Korea Fast facts The FATF […]

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.

Crypto industry looks to the UAE; Crypto’s environmental concerns

More crypto players are eyeing the UAE as a hub. Meanwhile, a mysterious map sends Pudgy Penguin NFTs skyrocketing.

Be kind, rewind! South Korea’s Cyworld is back in Web 3.0 avatar

Time to dust off your Dotori. The social media platform that once reigned in South Korea is trying to make a grand comeback with in-game crypto, NFTs and the metaverse.

Hong Kong’s subway operator plans virtual station in metaverse

Hong Kong rail operator MTR Corporation announced Thursday that it will partner with The Sandbox on a metaverse project to build a subway-themed virtual world theme park. See related article: Sandcastles in cyberspace and the rise of the metaverse Fast facts The rail operator said it will partner with The Sandbox, a subsidiary of Animoca […]

Why blockchain is the cornerstone of investing in our planet

Can blockchain embody the values of Earth Day? Consider its growing role in ESG and the energy-efficiency of newer crypto, writes Eddie Hui of MVGX.

US sanctions Bitriver; Apecoin steals Doge’s thunder

A Russian crypto miner has been added to the US Sanctions list. Meanwhile, Dogecoin underperforms as Apecoin storms ahead.

Shiba Inu, Dogecoin payments accepted by Porsche Baltimore dealership

A Porsche dealership in Baltimore, Maryland, has begun accepting mainstream crypto payments for vehicles, along with DOGE and Shiba Inu, according to a Tweet by U.S.-based crypto payment service provider BitPay. See related article: Lamborghini’s last all-gas Aventador to be auctioned with NFT Fast facts See related article: Hic Hic Hurray! Scottish distillery Ardbeg to […]

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.

World Bank rescue package throws lifeline to crypto markets

Top blockchain and crypto news: Crisis response brings crypto relief. North Korea’s Lazarus Group named in Ronin hack. NFTs face new risks in China.

Why blockchain bridges have become DeFi’s Achilles heel

In the short history of DeFi, bridge hacks have accounted for an enormous amount of stolen funds, writes Joshua Tobkin. What can stop these attacks?

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.

Terra Luna headlines crypto’s Easter resurrection, STEPN peaks

The cryptocurrency market returned strong from the Easter holidays with Terra LUNA leading major coins with an 18.5% rebound to trade at US$91.43, on Tuesday morning Asia time. See related article: Is Terra — whose LUNA coin is now at another all-time high — really where the smart money is? Fast facts Terra reached its […]