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Bithumb, OKEx roiled by Korea’s new law. Why Thailand hates baht-pegged stablecoins. What’s behind Metakovan’s NFT art buys?

Other top blockchain and crypto news: Japan’s SBI Crypto opens mining pool to public. In China, more companies turn to crypto to boost bottom line.

Why Roger Ver prefers Bitcoin Cash to the original BTC

Early Bitcoin investor and cryptocurrency promoter Roger Ver tells Forkast.News how faster transactions and lower fees are fueling Bitcoin Cash adoption.

Ripple recasts embattled XRP as a ‘bridge’ currency for CBDCs

As XRP holders step closer to intervening in SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple, the payment platform gears up to grow its CBDC business with a new white paper.

How JPMorgan’s Onyx is redefining payments in banking with blockchain

From JPM Coin to payments on Ethereum in outer space, JPMorgan’s Onyx division is pushing the blockchain frontiers in traditional banking.

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.

Beauty selfie app Meitu buys another $50 million in bitcoin and ether

Another financially troubled Chinese company turns to blockchain to improve its bottom line — this time, by buying up cryptocurrency a la Tesla.
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Judge denies XRP holders’ bid to intervene in SEC v. Ripple lawsuit

XRP holders’ motion to join as third-party defendant was denied without prejudice as Ripple tries to bolster its ‘fair notice’ defense against SEC.

As big investors buy into bitcoin, demand for crypto custody grows

The race is on as crypto-native players and traditional banks ramp up cryptocurrency custody services for investors who can’t or don’t want to do it themselves

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?

XRP holders seek to join Ripple in fighting SEC lawsuit

In new legal filings, XRP holders blame SEC for causing ‘multi-billions in losses’ and say they intend to file a class-action lawsuit against the agency.

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.’

What does Weibo’s takedown of Binance & Huobi mean for crypto in China?

China’s Twitter-like platform disabled the crypto exchanges’ accounts on the same day China vowed to ‘crack down’ on businesses that sound like crypto.

Why blockchain and crypto offer women big career opportunities

In a special roundtable, top women in blockchain and crypto share leadership tips and how to give your daughter ‘a fabulous career when she grows up.’

SEC: no duty to warn about XRP; denies Ripple’s fair notice defense

Intensifying its legal warfare against XRP, SEC takes aims at the heart of Ripple’s defense. But Ripple scores wins in Tetragon and YouTube lawsuits.

Jack Dorsey cashing in on NFT frenzy. Ripple turns to CBDCs amid XRP’s legal troubles. Is India rethinking a crypto ban?

Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: Ethereum takes up with Amazon, plans gas fee changes. China likely to increase blockchain spending.

Does India have room for both bitcoin and a CBDC?

As debate rages over whether India should ban private cryptos in favor of a central bank digital currency, a case could be made that India needs both.

Guide to tokens and NFTs: what is ‘tokenization’ and how does it work?

What do tokenized securities and Jack Dorsey’s NFT tweet have in common? In this Forkast.News explainer, learn how crypto tokens are changing the world.

International Women’s Day 2021: Women making an impact in blockchain

Forkast.News showcases 10 inspirational women blazing trails — in business, government, law and NGOs — in crypto- and blockchain-related fields.

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.

China’s bitcoin miners flee Inner Mongolia ahead of crypto mining ban

One of world’s biggest bitcoin-producing regions will soon ban cryptocurrency mining to meet China’s clean air goals. Where will all those miners go?

How blockchain advocates stopped FinCEN’s ‘crypto wallet rule’—for now

Blockchain association leader Perianne Boring explains the controversial rule and how the industry pulled together to force FinCEN to consider public input.

Coinbase to go public on Nasdaq. Cardano upgrades amid ADA price rally. Beeple’s pop art riding high on NFT wave.

Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: Goldman Sachs, more big banks line up behind bitcoin. Short-sellers probe crypto miners in China.

Non-crypto firms in China jump into bitcoin mining to lift fortunes

Inspired by bitcoin’s boom, companies with no business in crypto are pivoting to cryptocurrency mining. A New York investors lawsuit offers a cautionary tale.

Major crypto players Coinbase and CoinShares are going public

Despite recent bitcoin and ether price drops, crypto giants Coinbase and CoinShares are betting that investment in digital assets will continue to grow.

Why crypto data aggregation will be essential to fintech in 2021

How will the rise in cryptocurrency drive banking and fintech innovation? Decentralized finance may offer a model, writes Christopher Brown of Zabo.

NFT mania: Are blockchain art and NBA crypto collectibles a fad or the future?

From Beeple’s digital art to LeBron James video trading cards, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are transforming the way we create, own and profit from content.

4 central banks and BIS exploring CBDC bridge for Asia and Middle East

China, UAE, Hong Kong, Thailand and Bank for International Settlements collaborate on ‘m-CBDC Bridge’ digital currency project for cross-border payments.

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.’

Bitfinex, Tether banned in New York. No end yet to Ripple XRP’s SEC lawsuit woes. CBDC bridge for Asia and Middle East.

Other top blockchain and crypto news: Bill Gates on bitcoin. Nvidia protects gamers from crypto miners with separate CMP and GeForce RTX graphics cards.

No Ripple-SEC lawsuit settlement in sight as XRP prices tumble

Ripple and SEC face off in a pretrial conference as MoneyGram, the world’s second largest money transfer provider, suspends trading on Ripple’s platform.

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.

Hong Kong plans to ban retail investors from trading cryptocurrency

Industry insiders warn that proposed rule to allow only ‘professional investors’ to buy and sell crypto could drive companies to crypto-friendlier shores.

Can blockchain solve Covid vaccines’ chaotic rollout? | Part 5

How can blockchain improve vaccine logistics? Forkast.News examines the frontiers of blockchain technology in this last article of a special five-part series.

Robinhood, GameStop frenzy players face Congressional questioning

Congress investigates links between Robinhood, Citadel, Reddit’s WallStreetBets and GME prices amid shifting investor interest to cryptocurrency and DeFi.

BNY Mellon, Jay-Z join bitcoin conga line. Will NFTs take over real world? Roadmap for Biden to take blockchain leadership.

Other top blockchain and crypto news: DeFi under Fed study. Andrew Yang, Wyoming vie for crypto attention. Hong Kong and India edge toward crypto bans.

Don Tapscott’s “personal call” to President Biden to lead blockchain policy

Blockchain Research Institute’s Don Tapscott outlines how Biden administration can lead technology policy for US to stay ahead in the innovation race.

How NewsHash will combat fake news through blockchain and DLT

Jim Nasr, CEO of blockchain application developer Acoer explains how distributed ledger techology could bolster trust in journalism.

Bitcoin miners seek 2nd hand gear to drive output amid rally

Tesla’s bitcoin dive is recharging an already hot crypto market, worsening the run on new mining equipment and heating up the second-hand rig market.
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How blockchain can improve vaccine safety and distribution | Part 4

Speeding Covid vaccines to market also led to confusion and waste. Here’s how blockchain can plug the gaps in the vaccine supply and distribution chain.

CasperLabs wants to help “morph” China’s BSN into the AWS of blockchain

CEO of CasperLabs, part of the Blockchain Service Network’s China and international versions, gives an insider’s view of blockchain’s future on the mainland.

Tesla drives bitcoin to the moon. Ripple XRP finds love in Japan. First Boulevard partners with Visa.

Other top blockchain and crypto news: ETH hits new high with CME Ethereum futures. DeFi yawns at YFI attack. China steps up DCEP digital yuan tests.

US must embrace digital dollar and cryptocurrency: Blockchain institute report

The Blockchain Research Institute-led report for Biden’s administration also outlines recommendations for crypto regulations and a national blockchain strategy.

Is the Tesla-inspired bitcoin gold rush the sign of a rational market?

Before Tesla’s bitcoin moves, big money was already placing BTC bets. What are bitcoin’s long-term fundamentals? Geoff Morphy of Bitfarms explains.

As bitcoin hovers near all-time highs, what does it mean for investors?

2021 is already shaping up to be a very different bull market for bitcoin compared to the past, writes Kadan Stadelmann of Komodo. Here’s why.

How crypto forensics traced $32 million worth of ‘lost’ bitcoin

Is cryptocurrency use totally private and anonymous? Think again. The Cubits/Dooga case shows just how easy it is to trace bitcoin compared to fiat.

China’s blockchain network at new milestone with open permissioned chains

Tai’an and WenChang chains join BSN China’s ‘Open Permissioned Blockchain Initiative’ as nation grows its blockchain network while maintaining controls.

GameStop sinks as ETH hits all-time high. Ray Dalio weighs in on crypto. Elon Musk, bitcoin’s new warrior.

Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: India pushes CBDC and proposes banning crypto. Korea’s DeFi future. How does Bitmain’s drama end?

XRP prices see ‘pump and dump’ as Ripple outlines legal defense strategy

In its response to SEC’s lawsuit, Ripple denies that XRP is a security, points out the clash with FinCEN and questions why SEC is not going after Ethereum.

As SEC goes after Ripple and Bitcoiin2Gen, is DeFi next in its line of fire?

Securities lawyers read the tea leaves of SEC’s lawsuits against Ripple XRP and Bitcoiin2Gen. Will DeFi be next for SEC enforcement actions or regulations?

Facebook-backed Diem, now close to launch, is propelling crypto into the mainstream

Formerly named Libra, the Diem stablecoin is now awaiting regulatory approval, writes Ilia Maksimenka of PlasmaPay. What are Diem’s odds of success?

Binance’s CZ predicts bitcoin prices will go as high as $400,000 in 2021

The founder and CEO of the world’s largest crypto exchange explains why he thinks bitcoin prices will keep rising but DeFi won’t be as hot as it was in 2020.

Digital payments — not cash — is now king in Asia’s payment ecosystem

Singapore and Thailand launch the world’s first real-time cross-border digital payment system. Here’s what else is happening in Hong Kong and China.
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Binance report: over 100 million people are now crypto users

About half of cryptocurrency users are hobbyists while 15% consider crypto their primary source of income, according to a survey of 61,000 crypto users.

Tether prosecution delayed again. Bitcoin’s false ‘double-spend’ rumors. Brave sends 24 million users to Web 3.0 via IPFS.

Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: BIS touts digital currencies. China’s blockchain network to add CBDCs as payment option.

IOHK’s Charles Hoskinson says proof of stake is much better than proof of work

IOHK and Cardano’s founder also explains why new US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is the ‘single biggest development’ for the crypto industry’s future.

Bitcoin and other crypto trends to watch in 2021

How high will bitcoin prices go — and will 2021 be the year of the bitcoin ETF and advanced crypto derivatives? Jay Hao of OKEx looks to the future.

SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce is optimistic about crypto regulation in 2021

The SEC Commissioner doesn’t want the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry to obsess over regulations, but ‘think about how the technology can be used.’

Singapore’s DBS bank becomes first in Asia to offer crypto exchange

As bitcoin and other digital assets go mainstream, traditional banks want a piece of the action. Singapore’s crypto-friendly regulations are paving the way.

Cardano’s Hoskinson wants to win over Fortune 500 companies

Comparing countries like Ethiopia to ‘China in the 80s,’ Charles Hoskinson of IOHK explains Cardano’s Africa strategy and why the Fortune 500 needs crypto.

How blockchain technology can help revive air travel | Part 1

In Part 1 of a special series on blockchain, Covid and healthcare, Forkast.News examines how the technology fosters greater trust in traveler health records.

Acoer’s Jim Nasr on using blockchain to track Covid vaccinations

Acoer’s founder and CEO offers his predictions for 2021, including blockchain being used to track Covid vaccinations as well as in the war against fake news.

Biden halts FinCEN’s proposed crypto wallet reporting rules

On his first day in office, President Biden put a freeze on all new or pending Trump-era rules, including rules for crypto, and asked for a review.

Biden’s American Rescue Plan. Crypto’s regulatory outlook in 2021. How not to lose your bitcoin password (don’t ask Stefan Thomas).

Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: Twitter’s blue sky initiative. In China, Conflux Network wins another government deal.

OKEx’s Jay Hao expects ‘more amazing developments from DeFi’ in 2021

OKEx CEO speaks candidly on how 2020 was difficult for his crypto exchange, and offers his predictions for DeFi, regulations and CBDCs in year to come.

MIT professor Gary Gensler is chosen to lead US SEC

President-elect Joe Biden has named the former CTFC chief to lead the SEC. What does this mean for Ripple and other crypto firms?

Bitcoin is ‘better form of value’ than fiat, says Binance CEO CZ

In a special video interview, Binance CEO CZ also explains why — despite DeFi’s spectacular rise up to now — he thinks many current DeFi projects will fail.

Binance’s CZ on bitcoin prices: Is crypto in a bubble or bull run?

Is bitcoin’s volatility worrisome or normal? Binance’s CEO offers bitcoin predictions and insights for 2021, in an exclusive interview with Forkast.News.

What are the secrets of the most successful blockchain startups?

Why do some blockchain startups prosper and others fail? A industry expert shares insights and advice for blockchain business success in 2021 and beyond.

Big waves at SEC: Chief enforcer v. Ripple XRP is out. Is Gary Gensler new SEC chair? Elon Musk’s bitcoin flirtations.

Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: WhatsApp refugees swarm Signal. Bakkt to go public via SPAC. China tests out new DCEP digital yuan e-card.

‘Crypto Mom’ Hester Peirce calls for more regulatory coordination

In an exclusive interview, the SEC Commissioner shares her thinking on digital assets, DeFi and wanting her agency to ‘do better’ in the crypto space.

LUKSO’s Fabian Vogelsteller predicts NFT and ERC-20 uses will grow

The founder of LUKSO and former Ethereum developer offers his views on decentralization as a tool and the ERC-725 standard for blockchain-based identity.