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What is the outlook for Bitcoin and Ethereum for the rest of 2021?

The current dip aside, what are Bitcoin and Ethereum’s longer-term price forecasts? Finder’s brain trust of 35 crypto experts peers into a crystal ball.

Hong Kong split on retail crypto ban; Korean conglomerate on custody | The Daily Forkast

Hong Kong reacts to the region’s pending legislation on limiting crypto investment to professional investors while a conglomerate enters South Korea’s crypto custody scene.

S. Korean crypto exchange Bithumb distances itself from scandal-hit ex-chairman

Bithumb, one of South Korea’s biggest cryptocurrency exchanges, is attempting to disassociate itself from its former chairman amid fears that its links to him may pose a threat to its license to operate.

Rejecting traditional finance, some firms now turn to DeFi for growth capital

DeFi project Maple Finance is launching a $17 million lending pool to provide crypto startups with capital. Is this the start of a DeFi credit underwriting trend?

Digital dollar’s values to fortify USD hegemony, says ex-CFTC chair

Former CFTC chairman Chris Giancarlo and Accenture’s David Treat are not in a CBDC race, but a ‘contest’ to develop money that reflects societal values.

Bitcoin long positions worth $1.5 billion liquidated amid crypto crash

Around US$1.5 billion of Bitcoin long positions were liquidated today across some of the world’s top crypto exchanges, including Binance and FTX, according to Bybt data.

Will Singapore launch a people’s digital currency — and support DeFi?

As Singapore builds Project Dunbar, a cross-border multiple-CBDC platform, its government dives into DeFi learning and ponders a CBDC for the masses.

Banks take on enterprise blockchain; WeMade entrust crypto to KODA | The Daily Forkast

Banks in Singapore are leading blockchain and DLT developments while South Korean game developer WeMade entrusts its US$130 million crypto holdings to KODA.

What is Polkadot and why is it one of the hottest blockchains right now?

The final phase of Polkadot’s rollout — with parachains — just kicked off. Here’s what you need to know about Polkadot and parachains, and why it matters.

Led by Cardano ADA, green cryptos rise as Bitcoin, wider market sinks

ADA price holds strong as investors shift to greener cryptocurrencies and Cardano smart contracts get set to launch blockchain into DeFi and NFTs.

India’s demand for crypto ‘growing like crazy’ since ban attempt

It’s only a matter of time that digital currency ‘is going to overshadow all the other forms of money,’ says Neeraj Khandelwal of CoinDCX.

DBS Bank rolls out crypto estate planning for the ultra-rich

What will happen to your Bitcoin keys and crypto wallets when you die? Southeast Asia’s largest bank will now take care of it all for the super wealthy.

China’s miners on Tesla’s Bitcoin 180; Animoca Brands — a star is born | The Daily Forkast

Asia’s crypto industry reacts to Tesla backtracking Bitcoin payments, while Animoca Brands raises US$88,888,888 in a new funding round.

How FTX crypto exchange won over 1 million investors and grew 25-fold

FTX crypto derivatives exchange pioneered TRUMP crypto futures and now dwarfs Coinbase in trading volume. Is going public in FTX’s near future?

ICP takes crypto world by storm. Will Ethereum be the next Bitcoin? Goldman Sachs launches crypto trading desk.

Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: How Dogecoin copycat SHIB coin vaulted into crypto’s top 20. China unveils fingerprint ID for digital yuan.

SHIBA INU trends in Chinese social media; Indonesia mulls crypto tax | The Daily Forkast

Shiba Inu is the new “Doge killer” and Chinese investors “can’t get enough” of it, says Gate.io, as #SHIB trends in Weibo.

Ethereum market cap now half trillion dollars as Ether price hits ATH of $4,360

Ethereum prices rally to new all-time high as Bitcoin’s dominance keeps sliding. Is Ethereum’s upcoming EIP 1559 upgrade boosting its value proposition?

FTX CEO on tokenized stocks; South Korean police officers want crypto | The Daily Forkast

FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried joins Forkast.News to share how the exchange is able to provide new financial products while still satisfying regulators.

Ethereum prices break $4,000 for first time—what’s driving ETH’s surge?

Is it all those new Ethereum ETFs, rising demand for Ethereum from DeFi and NFTs, or lower gas fees fueling ETH’s price jump to yet another all-time high?

How R3 is growing Corda’s reach with China’s Blockchain Services Network

R3’s Corda — one of the most widely used blockchains of Corporate America — is coming to China. What does it mean for the US and Europe?

Open DeFi launches DAO: ‘Multi-chain DeFi is here to stay’

Since its launch by Conflux Network, a Shanghai-endorsed public chain, the East-West alliance has added over 30 members. Open DeFi now forms a DAO.

Report: 1.7 million DeFi users now on Ethereum, 50% more since Jan. 1

ConsenSys Codefi’s Q1 report on decentralized finance (DeFi) trends also saw 7x growth in stablecoins and predicts flashbots dominating the Ethereum network.

New York Giants ink partnership deal with Grayscale

Football team adds world’s biggest crypto asset manager to roster of corporate sponsors as sector firms make inroads into sports. The New York Giants have announced an exclusive partnership agreement with digital currency asset manager Grayscale Investments, which had $46.6 billion of assets under management as of April 30. The arrangement, a first in the […]

Ethereum and Dogecoin prices skyrocket. Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto talent search. Mastercard wants in on CBDCs.

Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: S&P Dow Jones launches Bitcoin and Ethereum indices. Will China crack down on more crypto miners?

How Uniswap V3 and smartBCH seek to streamline DeFi, save on gas

The days of ‘DeFi’ being an insider buzzword are over. But gas fees remain high and the road bumpy. Will Uniswap V3 and smartBCH change anything?

Mastercard survey: growing number of consumers eye crypto for shopping

A survey by credit card provider Mastercard shows that a growing number of consumers prefer using cryptocurrency when making their purchases. Mastercard’s New Payments Index polled more than 15,000 online respondents from North America, Latin America, the Asia Pacific region, The Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. The study shows 40% of those polled plan […]

As DeFi swells past US$140 billion, FATF stokes worries over KYC/AML

Fast-growing DeFi — still a largely unregulated industry — gives FATF an earful over its proposed ‘travel rule’ and expanded anti-money laundering rules.

Dogecoin price flies to moon on eToro listing and Elon Musk for rocket fuel

DOGE fans push Dogecoin price to all-time high (ATH) after eToro lists the joke coin for 20 million users, days before ‘Dogefather’ Musk appears on SNL.

Ethereum prices soar over $3,200, making Vitalik Buterin a billionaire

As ETH prices hit a new ATH and continue to the moon, Ethereum’s visionary creator Vitalik Buterin becomes the youngest ever crypto billionaire.

Binance Charity Fund donates to India’s COVID-19 fight

The charity arm of Binance is sending 175 oxygen connectors to India to aid in the coronavirus relief effort.

Singapore’s DBS Bank reports US$60 million crypto under custody

DBS Bank says it has over US$60 million in crypto under custody and plans to expand trading hours to 24/7.

Why more big investors are now seeking interest and yields in DeFi

As corporations plow billions into Bitcoin, a new business model involving decentralized finance is emerging for investors, says Alessio Quaglini of Hex Trust.

China’s crypto miners make hard choices to meet climate goals

With Inner Mongolia banning crypto-mining and Xinjiang expected to soon follow, China’s crypto miners are turning to green energy or moving overseas.

Binance and Huobi stablecoins surge as Asia seeks fiat alternatives

Binance’s BUSD and Huobi’s HUSD dominated their stablecoin rivals in the first three months of this year. Why is Asia hungry for alternatives to fiat?

Stablecoin rush breaks out; JPM, DBS and Temasek launch Partior | The Daily Forkast

JPMorgan, DBS and Temasek launch Partior to digitize commercial money as stablecoin transaction volume surge in Asia-centric exchanges.

Tesla earnings soar from Bitcoin. PancakeSwap eclipses Ethereum. Coinbase delays Tether USDT listing.

Other top blockchain and crypto news: China’s internet giants JD.com and Ant Group reveal extent of digital yuan support. Turkey rethinks crypto ban.

PancakeSwap and controversial SafeMoon turbo boost BSC past Ethereum

Is Binance Smart Chain’s meteoric rise from PancakeSwap and cryptocurrency SafeMoon sustainable, and is an ‘Ethereum killer’ now finally closer to reality?

Solana prices surge amid crypto crash as market seeks lower gas fees

Solana blockchain — a rising alternative to Ethereum for DeFi and NFTs — hit an all-time high this week while other cryptocurrencies stagnated. How come?

As Coinbase Pro adds USDT, Tether execs balk at continued scrutiny

Tether’s battle with New York may be resolved for now, but legal obligations have company on the defensive. Is Tether’s USDT regulated or just registered?

New ASEAN Blockchain Consortium forms to champion blockchain

Blockchain organizations from Australia and five Southeast Asian nations join forces for blockchain advocacy, public education and talent development.

Why new SEC chief Gary Gensler may be Biden’s gift to crypto industry

Are digital assets securities or commodities? Outdated laws offer no clarity, but US is now poised to reform blockchain regulations and lead world by example.
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Ethereum’s Berlin upgrade goes live. What’s next for Ethereum?

ETH surged to a new all-time high with Ethereum’s Berlin hard fork. Will improving gas fees ward off Ethereum competitors like Binance Smart Chain?

Justin Chow: Why Asian institutional investment in Bitcoin will only grow

Justin Chow of Cumberland DRW explains why Asia has lagged behind the US in institutional interest in crypto — and why that will likely change soon.

Are Bitcoin ETFs ready to party? Line is growing at SEC’s gate.

Bitcoin’s soaring prices are attracting traditional investors who want in, but with an entourage rather than solo. When will the velvet ropes lift in US and Asia?

What is Coinbase really worth? XRP rallies with Ripple’s wins over SEC. HSBC bans MicroStrategy over Bitcoin embrace.

Other top blockchain and crypto news: HSBC bans MicroStrategy over Bitcoin affair. Tokenized TSLA and Coinbase COIN now on several crypto exchanges.

Binance Lists Coinbase Stock Token; Altcoins Reign Asian Crypto | The Daily Forkast

Bitcoin booms to new all-time highs but Asian retail investors are wooed by higher gains in altcoins while Binance tokenizes Coinbase.

Bitcoin skyrockets past US$64,000, hits another all-time high

Ahead of Coinbase’s Nasdaq listing, Bitcoin surged to new highs in Asian trading hours. Ether, ADA and DOGE also reached new ATHs as altcoins soared.

Asian governments urge ‘extreme caution’ before buying cryptocurrency

As Bitcoin and crypto market swells beyond $2 trillion, even crypto-friendly Singapore is warning the public about risks. Are more regulations coming?

Filecoin’s crypto top 10 stint. Coinbase wows with earnings for Nasdaq debut. Japan opens door to CBDC.

Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: Hong Kong is new test bed for China’s e-CNY digital currency. Decentraland’s token bridge to Polygon.

Animoca CEO Yat Siu: Ownership economy ‘will be worth trillions’

Yat Siu, Greater China’s godfather of CryptoKitties and vintage Atari NFTs, also says gamers are at the forefront of blockchain adoption.

5 questions investors must ask before buying Bitcoin or digital assets

How do cryptocurrency investors know whom to trust, avoid scams and not buy coins with a shady history? Gunnar Jaerv of First Digital Trust explains.

Coinbase Nasdaq listing set for April 14

Coinbase’s COIN ticker will go public after the exchange’s Q1 earnings results disclosure ahead its April listing.

How blockchain technology’s landscape changed in the tumult of 2020

Far from slowing down blockchain advances, the Covid pandemic may have accelerated the technology’s growth and adoption, blockchain experts say.

What do Hong Kong’s crypto laws mean for exchanges and investors?

HashKey Group’s Angelina Kwan, a former regulator who helped write laws relevant to the crypto industry, also explains why Hong Kong leads the world in fintech regulations.

World’s first major crypto art show opens in Beijing

Headlined by crypto art superstars Beeple and Robert Alice, the in-person exhibit also features works by Chinese artists. Next stop: Shanghai.

How does China see its CBDC and its use in cross-border payments?

China’s central bank says its DCEP project’s digital yuan, now in pre-launch testing across the nation, ‘will coexist and cooperate’ with Alipay and WeChat Pay.

How blockchain can power the growth of green finance

As interest in green bonds grow around the world, Asia is emerging as a hotbed of sustainable finance. Here’s why China will be leading the way.

KPMG: Virtual asset service providers ready to professionalize and grow

New KPMG report outlines opportunities for investors as well as traditional banks with the rise of VASPs like cryptocurrency exchanges and custody services.

How liquid staking can unlock cross-chain interoperability and DeFi value

The siloed nature of many older blockchains is holding back DeFi’s potential, writes Sarah Kim of Terra. But help with greater interoperability is on the horizon.

What’s in DeFi’s future — and what does it mean for traditional banks?

Will DeFi replace centralized finance, and how might regulators respond? An all-star panel with leaders from SEC, WEF, ConsenSys and USDC explains.

Chia Network launches eco-friendly blockchain and XCH cryptocurrency

Founded by BitTorrent creator Bram Cohen, Chia Network’s new ‘proof of space and time’ blockchain aims to be a more sustainable alternative to bitcoin.

Guide to Cardano and ADA: What is Cardano, and why it matters

Cardano’s ADA, up by 7,400% since last year, is now the 3rd most popular cryptocurrency in the world. Why is it called a ‘Ethereum killer’? Let’s find out.

Are bitcoin ETFs coming soon to America? Korea’s Shinhan Bank joins CBDC pilot. Argo seeks greener crypto pastures in Texas.

Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: As China tightens vise on crypto, Beijing to host 60-artist crypto art exhibition featuring NFT superstar Beeple.

NEM launches Symbol blockchain and XYM crypto for new token economy

NEM’s Symbol blockchain will be interoperable, enable NFTs and allow assets like whiskey to be tokenized for investing. What will happen to XEM and NIS1?

Looking past bitcoin: How tokenized real estate can diversify portfolios

Despite bitcoin’s new highs, BTC remains a volatile and risky investment. Are tokenized hard assets like real estate a better alternative for investors?

Will DeFi upend traditional finance and democratize capitalism?

GameStop’s drama is over, but it may signal big changes ahead for finance. Here’s why one former banker thinks ‘DeFi is going to absorb traditional finance.’

Ripple: SEC did not give fair notice that XRP violated law

In its latest court filing, Ripple also says SEC led market to believe that XRP was not an investment contract. Outside court, Ripple pursues the CBDC business.

2021 will be the tipping point for institutional investors in digital assets

In a 2021 report, the HashKey Group predicts that more than 50% of institutional and professional investors will have exposure to digital assets by the year’s end.

Cardano transitions to multi-asset blockchain amid ADA price surge

Cardano blockchain, a so-called ‘Ethereum killer,’ completes its Mary hard fork upgrade as ADA becomes 3rd largest cryptocurrency behind bitcoin and ether.

Will new CasperLabs token take a bite out of high gas fees?

CasperLabs, a new smart contract blockchain network, announces its CSPR token sale — which CTO Medha Parlikar likens to a ‘gas futures market.’

In Singapore, bitcoin is challenging gold as a store of value

Eugene Ng of Gemini, the cryptocurrency exchange that recently expanded in Singapore, explains why the Lion City is good for doing crypto business.

Capitol riot: Is political extremism tarnishing blockchain by association?

Decentralized apps like DLive are gaining attention since the violent attack on the US Capitol. How will this affect the wider adoption of blockchain DApps?