Forkast.News is now Forkast Labs

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 […]

Blockchain, metaverse important for India’s growth: MP

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are going to be increasingly important with the rise in time spent on metaverses, Jayant Sinha, a member of parliament and Chairman of India’s Standing Committee on Finance, told The Economic Times on Monday.  See related article: India to make life hell for crypto investors: MP Fast facts Sinha’s comments come at […]

Xiamen issues China’s first blockchain-based commemorative subway ticket

Xiamen, a major city in China’s southeastern province Fujian, Friday issued China’s first batch of digital commemorative subway tickets based on Alibaba’s blockchain, AntChain. See related article: More courts in China accept blockchain-stored evidence Fast facts The digital ticket bears a likeness to a decorative metal badge,  and is themed with a combination of Xiamen […]

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 the metaverse is closing the gap between virtual and reality

The metaverse promises to radically change how we work, play and do business. How do we avoid its real-world security risks and pitfalls?

OpenSea sales volume drops as challengers boast user rewards

OpenSea sales volume dropped by 67% over the past 30 days, according to DappRadar, as newer platforms offer rewards to lure users away from the leading non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace. See related article: NFT buyers dip for a second straight month Fast facts Sales volume on OpenSea totaled US$2.64 billion in the past 30 days, […]

Crypto liquidity aggregator FLUID raises US$10 million

FLUID aims to disrupt the virtual asset market-making industry by lowering fees and latency. Fast facts Blockchain investors GSR, Ghaf Capital, and 21Shares led the round. FLUID aims to tackle a multi-trillion-dollar market problem of illiquidity in virtual assets. The firm wants to enhance liquidity across spot trading, derivatives, futures, synthetics, tokenized assets, and security […]

Virgil Griffith jailed; Indian exchanges disable UPI

Welcome to The Daily Forkast – April 13, 2022 – Presented by Megha Chaddah. Coming up on today’s show: Former Ethereum developer Virgil Griffith gets 63 months in prison. Coinbase snafu sets cat among the crypto pigeons in India. Huawei becomes latest of China’s tech giants to issue NFTs.  We’ll have more on those stories […]

T Scientific to acquire 60% of S.Korean crypto exchange Hanbitco for $19.5 mln

South Korean mobile services company T Scientific announced Monday it will purchase a 60.36% stake in PlutusDS, the operator of local cryptocurrency exchange Hanbitco. See related article: South Korea crypto exchange underdogs: Where are they now? Fast facts T Scientific, a South Korean company specializing in the provision of mobile coupons and mobile commerce services, […]

Bored Apes set for movie debut with Coinbase

Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) will make its silver screen debut in a film trilogy produced in partnership with Coinbase, the Nasdaq-listed cryptocurrency exchange announced on Tuesday. See related article: Apes Gone Wild! BAYC ‘selling like crazy’ amid otherwise sluggish NFT market Fast facts The first film in the short animated trilogy entitled “The Degen […]

Why fears of a market bubble don’t apply to Bitcoin

Crypto market downturns can dredge up bad memories of ICOs. What lessons can investors learn from the past — and how is Bitcoin different?

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.

Opensea’s Solana beta begins; Binance bails out Sky Mavis

Chinese state media calls for stronger regulations of NFTs. Meanwhile, Sky Mavis raises $150M to offset Ronin hack.

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.

What is the metaverse and are we already living inside it?

The metaverse is envisioned as the next iteration of the internet, introducing an immersive digital universe. Find out what this means for the future of our online lives — beyond all the marketing hype — in this Forkast.News explainer.

Forkast Events

Our virtual and in-person events bring people together to join conversations that matter. Previous Events Crypto Rising CBDCS & Stablecoins: The Asia Perspective We are in a history defining moment where money is evolving. It’s not easy to replicate cash, and central bankers around the world face unique challenges. The U.S. is softening up to […]

UK to regulate stablecoins for payments in crypto hub push

The U.K. has released a detailed plan to regulate stablecoins as payments along with an intention to create a blockchain sandbox to mark Her Majesty’s entry into the “crypto hub” race. See related article: UK regulator may cancel Eqonex’s registration over Binance, Bifinity ties Fast facts The government plans to amend the Banking Act 2009 […]

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?

DBS U-turns crypto trading plans; China expands e-CNY trials

DBS Bank reverses its crypto-trading decision. Meanwhile, China continues to expand e-CNY trial.

Is Singapore retreating from its global crypto hub ambitions?

Singapore’s approach may seem increasingly anti-crypto to some, but not to those tracking its policies closely. Danny Chong of Tranchess explains what’s going on.

Ronin hack proceeds seen headed to Tornado Cash

At least 500 Ether looted from the US$600 million Ronin hack has been transferred to Tornado Cash. See related article: Axie Infinity blockchain Ronin hacked for over $600M Fast facts An Ethereum address associated with the hack made two 100 ETH deposits to Tornado Cash on Monday morning Asia time. Over an hour later, the […]

How decentralization is making everyone their own CEO

The emancipatory promise of decentralization has been both evangelized and excoriated. The Algorand Foundation’s Jason Lee explains why we should be believers.

China’s e-CNY push; India’s crypto tax kicks in

India’s long-awaited crypto tax comes into effect. Meanwhile, China expands the digital yuan program.

Ronin hack delays Axie Infinity upgrade

Sky Mavis, the developer of the popular blockchain game Axie Infinity, delayed its highly anticipated Origin upgrade in response to the recent hack worth over US$600 million on its Ronin network.  See related article: Top NFT game Axie Infinity generated $1.3B in revenue last year Fast facts The Vietnam-based developer’s new Origin upgrade will now […]

Metapolis’ Zilliqa surges 80% over 24 hours, outpacing Solana’s OpenSea integration

Zilliqa is leading Thursday’s crypto market with an 80% charge over the last 24 hours, part of a 270% weekly pump since its metaverse-as-a-service platform Metapolis launch event was announced.

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.

India’s biggest telecom firm latches onto metaverse

Bharti Airtel Ltd., India’s largest wireless telecom services provider by active users, is planning to cash in on the metaverse by leveraging its upcoming fifth-generation radio waves (5G) network, according to local media reports.  See related article: Who are the biggest players in the metaverse today? Fast facts Airtel is seeking partnerships with content providers […]

Lessons learned from my five years of building blockchain

DLT projects are defined by their network effects, writes Donald Thibeau of HBAR Foundation. Here’s why open networks and community are critical for success.

Axie Infinity blockchain Ronin hacked for over $600M

Ethereum sidechain Ronin, where play-to-earn blockchain game Axie Infinity runs, has been hacked for over US$600 million in crypto, making it one of the biggest hacks in crypto history. See related article: Axie Infinity becomes first NFT series to break $4B in sales Fast facts Ronin said the hacker compromised four of their own validator […]

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.

Gaming fintech firm enables Bitcoin tips for streamers

Gaming fintech ZEBEDEE launched ZBD Streamer on Tuesday, enabling content creators to collect Bitcoin tips while live streaming on online platforms including Twitch and YouTube.  See related article: PlayNFT plug-in to enable streamers to offer NFTs on Twitch Fast facts Viewers can send tips using a Bitcoin Lightning wallet, with an option to send custom […]

Like it or not, blockchain and P2E will disrupt the traditional gaming space

Despite criticisms of play-to-earn games, blockchain innovations are here to stay and represent gaming’s future, writes William Wu of Catheon Gaming.

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.

Mastercard partners with Australia’s BTC Markets for payment options

Australian crypto exchange BTC Markets has partnered with Mastercard to allow its customers to make direct debit, prepaid or credit card payments to purchase cryptocurrencies from the platform. See related article: Mastercard partners with Australian exchange for crypto card Fast facts The move is part of a broader trend by payments giants like Mastercard and […]

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.

Asian Games set for digital yuan, metaverse pilots, tech firm claims

A Hangzhou-based data firm has confirmed that it is working on the application of the digital yuan and the metaverse in the upcoming 2022 Asian Games.  See related article: China’s digital yuan app now publicly accessible, one step closer to launch Fast facts See related article: 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou to sell torch NFTs […]

Russia’s bitcoin for oil proposal; Crypto market makes gains

Russia considers a bitcoin for oil proposal. Meanwhile, crypto markets make gains after weeks of volatility.

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.

Azuki spikes past Bored Apes in daily sales

Azuki, an anime-inspired NFT avatar collection, surged over 140% in the past 24 hours to top Friday’s sales volume chart, surpassing Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) and Mutant Ape Yacht Club, according to CryptoSlam data.  See related article: Azuki, CryptoPunks battle it out for week’s top NFT title Fast facts With its latest spike, Azuki’s […]

Bollywood Icon’s Tax Bill; Metaverse Fashion Week Opens

Chinese telecom ZTE registers metaverse-related trademarks. Meanwhile, Bollywood star gets chased over NFT taxes.

Thailand bans Bitcoin and crypto payments

Cryptocurrency payments will be banned in Thailand starting April 1, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced on Wednesday.  See related article: Thailand eases crypto tax burden until 2023 to promote industry Fast facts The SEC said price volatility, lack of customer safeguards, money laundering and cyber theft risks drove the decision to ban cryptocurrencies […]

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 […]

Fusang defers IPO; Yuga Labs hits $4bn valuation

Malaysia’s Fusang defers their IPO. Meanwhile, Blockchain Week Australia looks into intellectual property rights.

Executive Summary

NFT sales amounted to US$18.5 billion in 2021 — a 570-fold increase from 2020 as avatars and digital art gained in popularity and organizations such as the NBA issued NFT collections that attracted an overwhelming response, data from NFT industry data aggregator CryptoSlam showed. With sales holding above US$2.5 billion in recent months and reaching […]

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 […]

New Investors and Investments

As NFT adoption grows, massive amounts of capital are pouring into the industry.  January 2022 saw the close of investment rounds in several high-profile companies, including NFT marketplace OpenSea, which raised US$300 million in Series C funding from investors led by Paradigm and Coatue. The new investment valued OpenSea at US$13.3 billion. Hong Kong-based Animoca Brands, […]

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 […]

Getting Creative | Interview with Audrey Ou

Traditional art and NFTs Art collectors have become much more interested in NFTs over the past year. Crypto-native NFT projects, like profile photos, are opening an entirely new market to art fans. The ranks of mainstream art collectors are also expanding, since many young NFT collectors go on to explore other forms of art, including […]