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Hong Kong legislator encourages Coinbase to set up shop in city under new crypto rules

Local legislator suggests global cryptocurrency exchanges such as U.S.-based Coinbase set up operations in Hong Kong as the city’s new licensing regime for crypto retail trading took effect on June 1.

Bitcoin, Ether little changed after weekend slump; Solana, Cardano lead the losers

Bitcoin fell below US$26,000, while Solana, Cardano and BNB posted hefty weekly losses after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission targeted exchanges with lawsuits.

SEC FUD can’t stop the fun in NFTs

NFT Community Resilience: Amid SEC scrutiny, builders thrive with Bitcoin NFTs soaring, Polygon’s mystery unveil, art sales surging, and IP licensing advancements.

Inside The Sandbox: A glimpse into the metaverse with co-founder Sebastien Borget

Sebastien Borget of The Sandbox and Yehudah Petscher of Forkast Labs discuss the promise of the metaverse, the role of NFTs and the potential impact of Apple’s Vision Pro.

Weekly Market Wrap: SEC crackdown on Binance, Coinbase ‘can’t stop’ Bitcoin as it trades above US$26,000

Bitcoin recovered above the US$26,000 psychological level after a brief dip, as investors seemingly shrugged at the SEC’s crackdown on Binance and Coinbase. The quick crypto recovery could be a sign of a maturing asset class, industry experts told Forkast.

US SEC sues major exchanges; Circle gets Singapore license

Welcome to Forkast IQ, presented by Forkast’s Megha Chaddah, where we look beyond the headlines to get you insights that power smarter decisions.

EU’s MiCA crypto rules published in official journal

The Official Journal of the European Union published on Friday the European Union’s landmark Markets in Crypto Assets law (MiCA), stating that the regulation would enter into force in 20 days from the date of publication.

Bitcoin rises, Ether slips, most top 10 cryptos begin to pick up after SEC crackdown

Bitcoin rose and Ether fell, while most top 10 cryptos inched up following the U.S. SEC’s lawsuits against Binance and Coinbase.

Binance.US suspends U.S. dollar deposits, to pause fiat withdrawal channels

Binance.US, a cryptocurrency trading platform set up by Binance chief Changpeng Zhao to serve U.S. clients, said on Friday that it has suspended U.S. dollar deposits to protect customers amid intensifying regulatory pressure.

The Moment3 to launch NFTs with Alibaba’s e-commerce platform AliExpress

AliExpress, the global online platform of China’s e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, will launch NFTs on June 25 working with NFT project “the Moment3!”.

The grand experiment in crypto compliance: What will the future look like?

From US crackdowns on Binance and Coinbase to new business-friendlier frameworks in Hong Kong and Europe, seismic shifts in crypto regulations are under way.

Binance moved billions of dollars in client funds to accounts of company officials, SEC says in new filing

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has submitted a new court filing to support its lawsuit against the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance.

Why the US is waging war on Binance, Coinbase

Top blockchain and crypto news: Binance, Coinbase in SEC firing line. Solana NFTs slump as Bitcoin’s surge. New dawn in Hong Kong crypto regulations.

Bitcoin falls below US$27,000; Ether, all top 10 cryptos slide amid SEC lawsuit fallout

The SEC lawsuits against Binance and Coinbase have sent alt coins tumbling. Binance’s BNB lost 15.7% over the past week.

U.S. court orders SEC to respond to Coinbase’s rulemaking petition

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been ordered on Tuesday by the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit to respond to cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase’s pending petition for rulemaking within seven days. 

Why lack of diversification is cripping to the crypto market

Small cryptos often rise and fall with BTC and ETH — the market’s two biggest players. The concentration risk is profound, and here’s why you should care.

Bitcoin, Ether most other top crypto bounce back even as Coinbase joins Binance as SEC lawsuit target

Nearly all top 10 tokens rebounded as investors look beyond U.S. regulator’s lawsuits against two of the world’s most influential crypto exchanges.

Apple’s VR/MR Brings the metaverse back into focus

Apple’s Vision Pro VR is the new door to the metaverse. This headset may not be the first, but like CryptoPunks, it’s set to redefine how we see and use NFTs

SEC sues Coinbase for violating securities rules a day after Binance lawsuit

The U.S. SEC sued Coinbase, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the U.S., for allegedly breaching securities rules, less than 24 hours after the regulator sued Binance on similar charges. 

MUFG enables bank-backed stablecoin issuance amid new Japanese regulations

MUFG, Japan’s leading bank, is pioneering the crypto industry by supporting stablecoin issuance on the Progmat Coin platform, offering an alternative route for entry and exit in the volatile cryptocurrency market.

Ledger is proving the perils of sacrificing security on the altar of user experience

Ledger’s attempt to simplify self-custody and key recovery triggered a community revolt. Was this inevitable or could Ledger have sidestepped this fiasco?

Bitcoin, Ether skid; BNB drops more than 10% after U.S. securities regulator sues Binance

All top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies took a sharp fall Tuesday morning in Asia, after the SEC sued Binance over alleged securities violations.

Binance, US platform, CEO face SEC lawsuit over alleged securities violations

The U.S. regulator alleges Binance and its leader of unregistered offers, sale of tokens, defrauding investors and manipulating trade volumes.

Bitcoin dips below US$27,000, Litecoin biggest loser

Bitcoin drops below US$27,000 on Monday amid mixed crypto market. Litecoin, BNB see losses while XRP, Tron, Solana gain.

Why G7’s proposed crypto regulations will be bad for DeFi

FATF’s travel rule is looming over the crypto industry as an existential threat, writes Jack Jia of Unlimit. Here’s why it’s especially worrying to DeFi and self-custody wallet users.

Return of the NFTs?

NFTs reach new heights as May sees record-breaking transactions, hinting at widespread adoption.

Hong Kong’s crypto rules offer level playing field, investor protection, says OSL exchange executive

OSL is one of only two digital assets trading platforms in Hong Kong licensed to offer services to professional investors.

Solana’s NFT sales dive as Bitcoin Ordinals surge

A significant drop in Solana’s monthly NFT sales coincides with a boom in Bitcoin NFTs. Experts believe Bitcoin could soon challenge Ethereum’s dominance in the market.

What’s holding back DeFi and keeping the masses away

DeFi has the potential to revolutionize finance, but hacks, poor user experience, and a lack of a regulations make many wary, writes Arthur Firstov of Mercuryo.

Bitcoin dips under US$27,000, Ether falls, Litecoin leads winners, U.S. equities bounce back

Bitcoin fell Friday morning in Asia to trade below US$27,000. Ether and most other top 10 non-stablecoin tokens traded flat to lower. Litecoin gained.

What’s next for crypto miners after US debt ceiling deal?

Top blockchain and crypto news: Miners dodge tax bullet. Blur, Binance heat up NFT lending. Chinese cities’ plans reveal nationwide Web3 ambition.

Bitcoin drops below US$27,000 with Cardano leading losses

Bitcoin fell 1.36% to US$26,805 in 24 hours. Ether slipped 0.82% to US$1,854.

Bitcoin mining difficulty rises 3.4% to all-time high as hashrate jumps

Bitcoin’s mining difficulty level rose 3.4% on Thursday to an all-time high, as the network’s hashrate also increased to a record high.

What if troubled companies like Twitter can be run by a DAO?

Decentralized autonomous organizations are the future of business, writes Lomesh Dutta. The key is designing them to avoid management and voting pitfalls.

Bitcoin logs monthly loss, Ether retreats, XRP leads losers, U.S. equities slide

Bitcoin fell on Thursday morning in Asia to post the first monthly loss of the year. Ether and all other top 10 non-stablecoin tokens also traded lower.

Hong Kong to be digital asset rules sandbox for China, says former city regulator

Virtual assets will receive the same regulatory clarity in Hong Kong as their real-world counterparts, says former Hong Kong SFC regulator Angelina Kwan.

Tether stablecoin issuer taps Uruguay for Bitcoin mining using renewable energy

Tether, the issuer of the world’s most traded stablecoin, will invest in power generation and Bitcoin mining in Uruguay to tap the country’s renewable energy resources, the company said on Tuesday.

UAE and Hong Kong central banks to collaborate on crypto regulation

The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority have agreed to strengthen cooperation in regulating virtual assets.

Bybit crypto exchange follows Binance in exiting Canada amid tightened rules

Dubai-headquartered Bybit said it will exit the Canadian crypto market and stop accepting new accounts from Wednesday, citing a “recent regulatory development.”

Bitcoin, Ether flat; XRP jumps; U.S. equity futures mixed ahead of debt ceiling vote

Bitcoin traded flat on Wednesday morning in Asia, after briefly breaching US$28,000. Ether dipped while other top 10 non-stablecoin tokens traded mixed.

The Flippenings: Bear to Bull Market and Ethereum NFTs to Bitcoin Ordinals

China’s possible entry into NFTs, Russia’s crypto payments, and new token standards fuel market optimism.

Ethereum NFTs now transferable to Bitcoin

Ordinals’ BRC-721E token standard is set to introduce NFT transfers from Ethereum to Bitcoin through a burn and claim process.

U.S. congressman says crypto mining tax scrapped in debt ceiling deal

A proposed tax on electricity used by cryptocurrency miners in the U.S. has been scrapped in the deal to raise the country’s debt ceiling, according to Republican congressman Warren Davidson.

How NFT-financing can reshape the landscape of lending and borrowing

NFT-backed lending and borrowing can unlock liquidity and expand investment opportunities. Here are the best practices — and risks.

Hong Kong Web3 industry forms new associations to push crypto hub ambition

Leaders in Hong Kong’s Web3 industry announced the formation of two new associations, Hong Kong Licensed Virtual Assets Association (HKLVAA) and Web3 Harbour, on Monday.

Bitcoin drops below US$28,000, Tron’s deflation slows losses

Bitcoin couldn’t maintain its Monday morning gains as the world’s largest cryptocurrency dropped below US$28,000 in the afternoon.
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Why are so many VCs and startups flocking back to banks?

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and others led to predictions of big shifts away from centralized finance. James Wo examines why that hasn’t happened yet.

Beijing releases Web3 white paper, highlights challenges in talent, rules

Beijing’s local government on Saturday released a white paper outlining plans and challenges for development of the city’s Web 3.0 industry.

Bitcoin back above US$28,000 as cryptos rebound on positive debt ceiling talks

Bitcoin moved back above US$28,000 on Monday morning in Asia, leading a rally among all top 10 non-stablecoin tokens. Ether reclaimed the US$1,900 level.

Bitcoin and Ethereum: Two titans battle for NFT supremacy

Unpacking the NFT disparity at Veecon & BTC Miami 2023: established ETH vs emerging BTC. CryptoSlam seeks to bridge the gap.

Most top 10 cryptos up, despite looming fears of US default

Bitcoin and Ether rose during afternoon trading in Asia on Friday, along with most of the top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, excluding the Solana and Tron tokens.

Warren Buffet-backed Nubank, Visa, Mastercard to join Brazil’s CBDC pilot

Banco Central do Brasil, the central bank of Brazil, has selected 14 institutions to participate in the pilot run of the country’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) named Real Digital.

China: Zhengzhou City proposes metaverse plan

China’s Zhengzhou city issued a set of policy proposals Wednesday to support metaverse companies, including a 10 billion yuan (US$1.42 billion) metaverse fund.

Binance launches NFT loan service to rival Blend

Binance Marketplace, Binance’s NFT trading platform, is launching a new service Friday where users can loan Ether by using NFTs as collateral.

South Korea: Former Coinone executive pleads guilty to bribery

A former executive at Coinone pleaded guilty on Thursday to accepting bribes in exchange for listing certain cryptocurrencies on the platform.

Why GameFi is the future of the new player economy

Opinions about Web3 gaming remain divided, but it’s undeniable that NFTs and GameFi offer players big opportunities, writes Ramona Ciocea of Protokol.

Hong Kong Solidifies Crypto Regulations even as Malaysia bears down on Huobi

The launch of Hong Kong’s very own CBDC comes with new regulations for crypto trading platforms operating in the city.

In battle to be Asia’s crypto hub, which city will emerge victorious?

Top blockchain and crypto news: Asia’s crypto hub race. Is US debt ceiling fight a boon or a bane for crypto? China’s red carpet for metaverse investment.

Top 10 cryptos decline, except Matic, as debt ceiling negotiations erode risk appetite

Bitcoin and Ether fell during afternoon trading in Asia, along with all other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, excluding Polygon’s Matic token. Most Asian equities declined while most U.S. stock futures strengthened, despite Fitch Ratings placing America’s AAA rating on a negative watch, citing rising concerns that the government could default on its […]

South Korea will require all public officials to disclose crypto holdings from 2024

South Korean lawmakers unanimously approved a new bill requiring public officials to disclose their crypto holdings to be implemented in December.

Hong Kong’s new crypto rules covered by China state TV in rare move from Beijing

Analysts say the move could signal a bull run in cryptocurrencies.

Japan to implement anti-money laundering rules for crypto: report 

Japan will introduce strict anti-money laundering rules on cryptocurrency transactions from June 1, the Southeast Asian nation’s cabinet decided on Tuesday.

DAO communities – we need to talk about decentralization

Just how decentralized are today’s DAOs? When compared to the world’s largest transnational corporations, not so much, says Pat Rawson, co-founder of Web3 innovation network Curve Labs.

Singapore’s OCBC Bank, ADDX exchange launches tokenized structure notes

OCBC Bank will offer tokenized equity-linked structured notes to accredited investors, in a partnership with private market exchange ADDX.

Bitcoin drops below US$27,000, Dogecoin biggest loser

Bitcoin dropped 2.33% to US$26,671. Ether lost 2.15% but traded above US$1,800.
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China’s Nanjing city launches state-backed metaverse entity

China’s Nanjing City launched a state-backed organization on Monday to promote and enhance metaverse studies throughout the nation.

Only 4% of South Koreans use metaverses, survey reveals

Only 4.2% of South Korean citizens have said that they regularly use metaverse services, a recent survey results show.

Crypto’s aversion to anti-money laundering standards is only hurting itself

For crypto to grow for the long term, the industry must show greater respect for global standards that combat crime, writes Slava Demchuk of AMLBot.

Bitcoin, Ether rise; Dogecoin falls despite record high transaction volume

Top 10 non-stablecoin cryptos traded mixed, while investors continue to assess U.S. debt talks.

VeeCon: Rekindling the NFT Community’s Fire

VeeCon 2023 NFT conference inspires and strengthens the market with community focus and innovation. Gary Vaynerchuk’s keynote resonates with fans worldwide.

Bitget crypto exchange registers in Poland

Seychelles-headquartered cryptocurrency exchange Bitget announced on Tuesday that it successfully registered as a virtual asset service provider in Poland.

Binance allegedly commingled customer funds: Reuters

Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, has been accused of blending client funds with its own corporate revenue in violation of U.S. financial regulations, according to three unnamed sources cited by Reuters.