What impact will Ethereum’s Shanghai upgrade have on ETH and crypto markets?

Despite the potential sell pressures after Ethereum’s upcoming hard fork, it’s more likely that ETH stakers will hold for the longer term, writes Bill Xing of Bybit.

Weekly Market Wrap: Bitcoin hovers around US$28,000 as banking concerns return. Will it hit US$30,000?

As banking contagion worries reignited, Bitcoin traded firmly above US$28,000 for most of the week. Considering that Bitcoin was made for a potential banking crisis, industry experts are eyeing the US$30,000 mark for BTC.

Hong Kong blockchain initiatives natural evolution for finance hub, says Signum Digital CEO

Hong Kong’s new crypto licensing regime isn’t the only bullish sign for the city’s digital asset industry, says Signum Digital, the first company to win a preliminary license to handle securitized tokens in the city.

Hong Kong may face backlog in virtual asset license applications as demand grows, former SFC regulator says

Angelina Kwan, who helped shape early Hong Kong automated trading services and internet trading regulation, told Forkast the upcoming virtual asset licensing regime is almost identical to that for traditional financial institutions.

Centralized intermediaries were cause of crypto failures in 2022, says Voorhees

If there was a lesson from the crypto implosions of 2022, it is the demonstration of the superiority of open code and decentralization over central intermediaries, argues Voorhees at DC Blockchain Summit.

Bitcoin buoyed as bank busts spook investors

Top blockchain and crypto news: Banking woes boost Bitcoin. Arbitrum counts down to launch. Chinese billionaire faces US crypto scam charges.

How NFTs can protect creators and fortify their legal rights

The digital era has made piracy rampant and copyright enforcement difficult, but blockchain technology is shifting power back to creators, writes Wes Levitt of Theta Labs.

Taiwan’s financial supervisory commission will oversee crypto, chair says

Crypto in Taiwan remains largely unregulated, but lawmakers have requested the cabinet to appoint a regulator by May 16 to oversee all things crypto.

Weekly Market Wrap: Bitcoin rises above US$26,000, as ‘store of value’ narrative strengthens amid bank failures

As the U.S. banking system stared into the pit of bank runs and collapsing share prices, the authorities acted swiftly to try and pull everything back from the edge. However, Bitcoin seemed unperturbed. Is this what a safe haven looks like?

Who should be held responsible for the Silvergate Bank and SVB crises?

As bank after bank topples, fingers are pointing everywhere. But crypto is not to be blamed for this unfolding crisis, writes Winston Hsiao of XREX.

Circle’s USDC bounces back after Silicon Valley Bank bust

Top blockchain and crypto news: USDC stabilizes after SVB collapse. Silvergate closes shop. China tightens financial supervision.

India imposes money laundering regulations on crypto industry

India’s crime fighting agencies have been investigating crypto exchanges and individuals on money laundering charges and have now put the onus on exchanges to report suspicious transactions.

Circle’s Disparte speaks on de-risking crypto from banking risks

The recent U.S. banks fallout is a stress test for both traditional finance and digital assets but to weather the storm side by side is a powerful opportunity, says Circle Chief Strategy Officer Dante Disparte.

A crisis of value?

Why the banking collapse could save NFTs.

Banks are bringing systemic risks to crypto, says Circle’s Disparte

The recent U.S. bank failures are proof that the banking system is introducing systemic risks to the crypto industry, not vice versa, says Circle chief strategy officer Dante Disparte.

Beware the perils of one-size-fits-all approach to crypto investing

The collapse of Voyager and Celsius highlights the risks of crypto investing apps and underscores the need for tailored user education, writes Jackson Zeng of Caleb & Brown.

Circle’s USDC stablecoin regains parity as regulators act to stop bank run risk

Circle said its $3.3 billion of USDC cash reserves at the collapsed Silicon Valley Bank will be available Monday after regulators stepped in to backstop deposits.

Weekly Market Wrap: Bitcoin falls below US$20,000 as Silvergate collapse, rate hike concerns rise

Bitcoin fell below US$20,000 for the first time since Jan. 13 on the back of crypto bank Silvergate’s collapse and the U.S. Fed signaling higher than expected interest rate hikes.

Worst week of 2023

Crypto markets slammed by Fed, Silvergate, lawsuits.

Bet on the Black? Take a punt on the Red? Or maybe put it all down on an NFT?

Savvy traders are quick to extract liquidity to reinvest into the “slot machines” of the NFT casino, according to CryptoSlam’s NFT strategist.

Why global coordination on crypto regulation is paramount

In the race to tame crypto’s excesses, we need to avoid regulatory clashes while DeFi draws lessons from TradFi, writes Rachel Lin of SynFutures.

Most of NFT industry working on recycled liquidity, says Forkast Labs’ co-founder

NFT sales and market capitalization show rising investor activities, but recycled liquidity and wash trading may tell a different story, Forkast Labs co-CEO says.

FastForkast headlines

China state-owned banks turn crypto-friendly in Hong Kong: Bloomberg

Bitcoin gains as investors diversify amid worries about banking system; U.S. equity futures rise

Zipmex buyer misses payment, could risk US$100 million buyout: Bloomberg

Bitcoin, Ether, Forkast 500 NFT index rise; gold nears year-high over banking sector concerns

Bitcoin rebounds above US$28,000 as equities gain in U.S. on Treasury easing bank worries

South Korea confirms identity of man arrested in Europe as Terra-Luna fugitive Do Kwon, seeks extradition

Bitcoin, Ether, Forkast 500 NFT index fall, gold rises, as Janet Yellen rules out broad bank deposit insurance

South Korea arrests former Coinone exchange official for alleged crypto-listing bribery

SEC warns Coinbase of potential legal action over staking, separately targets Tron founder Sun

Bitcoin tracks equities lower on downbeat Fed, Treasury comments on banks

Bitget invests US$30 mln in BitKeep wallet, becomes controlling shareholder

Internal Revenue Service in U.S. solicits public opinions on proposed NFT taxes

Texas legislature introduces bill to attract Bitcoin-related businesses, protect interests of same

Bitcoin moves above US$28,000, Ether gains, XRP surges, U.S. equities rally

Indian crypto exchange WazirX blocks over 2,400 accounts in 6 months

Bitcoin, Ether extend losses; all eyes on U.S. interest rates

Terraform Labs founder Daniel Shin again questioned by South Korea prosecutors over stablecoin collapse

Bitcoin treads water, other crypto retreat ahead of U.S. Fed’s decision on interest rates

Singapore to publish crypto, stablecoin consultation feedback by mid-2023

Bitcoin rises past US$28,000, most other top 10 cryptos gain

Singapore-based Crypto.com gets preparatory license to expand services in Dubai

Crypto data provider Kaiko to move Asia HQ to Hong Kong from Singapore: Bloomberg

Bithumb executive faces investigation over alleged bribery in South Korean crypto listing

Bitcoin leads crypto rally as central banks promise liquidity to stem rising bank risk

Bitcoin, Ether rise; relief for investors as major banks get liquidity lifeline

Signum Digital says it won first approval to offer security tokens in Hong Kong

Bitcoin, Ether, other crypto gain with equities amid global fund injections to support banks

US, Germany shut ChipMixer for alleged ties to US$3 bln crypto laundering 

Bitcoin, Ether, Forkast 500 NFT index fall; euros rises amid Credit Suisse’s loan

Ripple executives say XRP lawsuit ruling will have little impact on global business operations

South Korea cranks up pressure to extradite Do Kwon, founder of failed Terra-Luna stablecoin

US accuses exiled Chinese tycoon Guo Wengui of $1 billion crypto-linked fraud

Bitcoin, Ether drop, other top cryptocurrencies retreat as bank liquidity concerns rise

Bitcoin, Ether, Forkast 500 NFT index extend gains; U.S. banking crisis concerns ease as inflation slows to 6%

Anchorage Digital lays off 20% of staff amid low NFT demand, says bank unit not affected

Bitcoin, Ether continue run up; Solana, Dogecoin lead gainers; U.S. equities rebound

Binance suspends pound sterling services for U.K. customers as payment provider backs out

Bitcoin breaks US$26,000 as inflation cools in February

Bitcoin, Ether extend gains as U.S. regulators take charge of banking industry turmoil

China regulator says NFT-related complaints skyrocketed in 2022

FBI investigating the collapse of Do Kwon’s Terra-Luna, WSJ reports

Bitcoin jumps above US$24,000, leading crypto gains as U.S. acts to backstop banks

Bitcoin, Ether gain after U.S. regulators take charge to shield deposits across crypto-related banks

Circle says US$3.3 bln USDC reserve at SVB available Monday, announces partnership with Cross River

U.S. regulators shutter Signature Bank, lender to Paxos, Coinbase, citing systemic risk

New York attorney general sues KuCoin for ‘falsely representing itself as an exchange’

Biden administration proposes 30% crypto mining tax, closing wash-trading loopholes

Bitcoin, Ether slump in broad sell-off amid Fed red flags on rates, Silvergate Bank failure

CFTC chair calls Ethereum a commodity, in contrast to SEC chair Gensler’s position

Bitcoin, Ether fall amid interest rate hike fears, Silvergate liquidation; Forkast NFT 500 index slips 0.79%