Circle invests in JPYC; Baby Shark NFTs announced
Circle invests in JYPC meanwhile Baby Shark NFTs announced
Circle contributes to $4.3M Series A funding round for yen-backed stablecoin
As Circle expands into Asia as part of a global expansion plan, what does the investment in a yen-back stablecoin mean for the market?
UAE’s LuLu Exchange, Pakistan’s Bank Alfalah partner on cross-border payments
LuLu Exchange, a financial services company in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Pakistan’s Bank Alfalah are partnering to bring faster and more cost-effective cross-border payments and remittances from the UAE to Pakistan using RippleNet. Fast facts Bank Alfalah’s integration with RippleNet — Ripple’s global payments network for financial institutions — and its launch with […]
Taproot goes live; Hong Kong crypto kidnap
Taproot goes live, meanwhile Hong Kong crypto kidnap
Taiwan has a chance to develop crypto amid China’s clampdown, Filecoin Foundation director says
As crypto projects are relocating from China to friendlier shores, it represents ‘huge opportunity’ for Taiwan.
Africa’s first CBDC wallet hits almost 500K downloads
As central bank digital currencies begin picking up steam around the world, the Central Bank of Nigeria announced on Friday the digital wallet for its own digital currency, the eNaira, has been downloaded 488,000 times in 160 countries — in just 19 days after its launch. Fast facts According to local news reports, after President […]
China ousts former official for supporting crypto mining, corruption
A former Chinese official has been expelled from the Communist Party of China for “serious violations of discipline and law” as he was found to introduce and support cryptocurrency mining activities, in what may be the first time for China’s anti-graft watchdog to expel an official over crypto mining. Fast facts The country’s anti-corruption watchdog […]
Algorand Foundation, Blockchain Association Singapore partner to grow blockchain ecosystem
The Algorand Foundation, a Singapore-based blockchain organization supporting the development of the Algorand ecosystem, has partnered with the Blockchain Association Singapore to drive the development of blockchain technology in Singapore and the wider Southeast Asia region. Fast facts In a memorandum of understanding signed on Nov. 12, the ecosystem partnership will see the Algorand Foundation […]
Blockchain gaming firm Forte closes $725M Series B funding
In another sign of increasing adoption of blockchain technology in the gaming industry, Forte — a leading provider of blockchain solutions for game publishers — has secured US$725 million in a Series B fundraising round, the firm announced. Fast facts Led by Sea Capital and Kora Management, this follows from the US$185 million it raised […]
Russia to legalize crypto mining; Korean candidate goes all out crypto
Russia to legalize crypto mining; Korean candidate goes all out crypto
Indonesia’s top Islamic council says crypto use is forbidden for Muslims: report
The religious body’s decision comes after the country saw crypto transaction growth earlier this year.
This Brazilian digital bank wants to change the world, one block at a time
Covid laid bare the gaps in people’s access to banking services. Moeda Seeds is looking not just to fill the gaps but to change the banking paradigm.
Russian parliamentarian proposes to study and regulate crypto mining
The Russian government could be looking to legalize cryptocurrency mining, as parliamentarian Andrey Lugovoy proposed the creation of a working group to discuss the issue, according to a Thursday press statement from State Duma, the country’s lower house of the parliament. Fast facts Lugovoy, also a deputy chairman of a committee on security and anti-corruption, […]
Discord dismisses ETH integration amid community backlash
Only two days after hinting via Twitter that leading social media platform Discord may support Ethereum, company co-founder and CEO Jason Citron has clarified the platform “has no current plans” to integrate the two. Fast facts Tweeting in response to the original post, Citron thanked community members for their perspectives and reiterated the firm is […]
Mayor says Miami will pay crypto dividends to residents
Mayor Francis Suarez may be on his way to eliminating taxes by paying residents a crypto dividend
Scams are bullish for crypto
After recent scams were uncovered involving Walmart and Kroger, and Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin, why did the stock prices fall while the crypto prices rallied?
Crypto surges on US inflation rise; Korean investors win damages
Crypto surges on US inflation rise meanwhile, Korean investors win damages
Philadelphia joins Miami, NYC in city government blockchain ambitions
Inspired by Miami’s launch of a city token — MiamiCoin — Mark Wheeler, the city of Philadelphia’s chief innovation officer, announced an initiative to bring blockchain and Web 3.0 technology to city governance. Fast facts Wheeler is currently conducting a discovery process to hold conversations with blockchain and Web 3.0 technology developers to understand the […]
Kazakhstan’s legal crypto miners won’t face power restrictions: energy minister
While Kazakhstan — a popular destination for Chinese crypto miners as they look for more regulation-friendly shores — continues to face power shortages, the country’s energy minister has said the authority will not restrict power consumption for legal crypto miners, according to a government statement. Fast facts Magzum Mirzagaliyev, Kazakhstan’s minister of energy, said at […]
Funding in crypto firms in Southeast Asia surges over 400% in 2021
Amid rising retail and institutional investor interest in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, investments poured into crypto firms in Southeast Asia in the first nine months of 2021 surged by over 400% compared with full year 2020 to US$356 million, according to the FinTech in ASEAN 2021 report by UOB, PwC Singapore and the Singapore […]
Crypto markets shudder as Evergrande fears re-emerge
As speculation continues over the fate of the Chinese property development giant, crypto markets were not spared the downturn over fears of its potential collapse.
Ripple to launch ‘game-changer’ liquidity hub amid XRP legal battles with SEC
Trying to move beyond XRP, Ripple hopes its customers will join RippleNet with a wallet that supports fiat and other cryptos like Bitcoin and Ether.
The media’s role in driving growth in crypto
Panel looks at best practices in news coverage from Decrypt Media, CoinDesk, South China Morning Post.
Why the crypto industry needs compromise and education
FTX founder and CEO Sam Bankman-Fried says building products that people want is what matters most, and the crypto industry and regulators will need to find compromises to resolve some of the industry’s pressing issues.
Middle-ground India crypto bill could be introduced this month
The Indian government is looking to introduce a cryptocurrency bill in the winter session of parliament in a bid to “fast track” regulation of a rapidly growing ecosystem, CNBC-TV18 reported. Fast facts India first drafted a bill to ban all cryptocurrencies in the budget session of 2021, but it was never tabled for discussions. Officials […]
Discord CEO hints at integration with Ethereum to mixed response
Co-founder and CEO of popular social media platform Discord, Jason Citron, has hinted at integration with Ethereum via wallets such as MetaMask by tweeting a screenshot of Discord connecting to the world’s number two blockchain along with the caption “probably nothing.” Fast facts It came in response to another tweet by writer Packy McCormick, which […]
What is the future of crypto and DeFi regulations?
From China’s crackdowns to El Salvador’s Bitcoin adoption, where is the world headed in how governments regard crypto? An expert panel explores the future of decentralized finance in the global economy.
Apple boss Tim Cook says he owns cryptocurrency
Apple CEO Tim Cook has revealed that he owns cryptocurrency during a discussion yesterday at the New York Times’ Dealbook conference, responding to a question as to whether he owned either Bitcoin or Ethereum. Fast facts While he did not reveal which cryptocurrencies he held, the tech boss said in an interview with Andrew Ross […]
Coinbase reports 75% drop in Q3 profits — despite SHIB listing
The largest U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange, Coinbase, earned just US$406 million net income in Q3 this year — a 74.7% decline over the previous quarter — according to the company’s investor earnings report released yesterday. Fast facts That figure represents a 500% increase over Q3 last year, but is significantly less than the US$1.6 billion in […]
United we stand: crypto experts debate tribalism
Crypto is ‘a behavioral economics experiment,’ says Real Vision co-founder Raoul Pal. ‘Your incentive system is not a like button on Facebook, it’s money.’
Thinking big: Blockchain paradigm shift may upend the social contract
Trust, data privacy and job elimination are some of the challenges that society will face as blockchain ushers in Web3.0, according to Don Tapscott.
3 themes driving institutional adoption of digital assets
What makes 2021’s roaring crypto market different from 2017’s are the banks and VCs piling in, writes Calvin Shen of Hex Trust. What’s behind their crypto adoption?
Crypto market cap breaks US$3 trillion: APAC crypto cards to launch
Crypto market cap breaks US$3 trillion, also APAC crypto cards to launch
Ethereum drives crypto comeback as US tax fears leave market unfazed
Top blockchain and crypto news: Ethereum rises and rivals follow. Taxing times for US investors. New life for reborn crypto miner.
Crypto funds see record $8.9B investment inflows so far this year
Signaling increased confidence in the future of digital assets, cryptocurrency investment products saw institutional investment inflows of US$174 million last week — the 12th consecutive week of inflows — bringing year-to-date inflows to a record US$8.9 billion, according to digital assets manager CoinShares. Fast facts Institutional investment into crypto products have surged this year with […]
CityCoins announces debut of NYCCoin
Before the crypto-enthusiastic mayor-elect has been sworn in, a grassroots effort announces it will launch a Bitcoin-backed token to support the city.
Ethereum hits new all-time high; S Korea says NFTs not virtual assets
Ethereum hits new all-time high meanwhile South Korea says NFTs not virtual assets
What are the digital assets powering the DeFi revolution?
Digital assets are disrupting financial services in ways not seen since the Middle Ages, writes Alex Tapscott of Ninepoint Partners. Here is the taxonomy for the future of finance.
Chinese edtech company pivots to crypto mining amid China’s clampdown on tutoring
As China continues to crack down on the private tutoring sector, one education-tech company has decided to pivot into blockchain and cryptocurrency mining. Fast facts Nasdaq-listed Meten Holding Group, which officially changed its name from Meten EdtechX Education Group in August, has moved forward with plan for the new business venture in the crypto world, […]
South Korean regulator confirms that NFTs are not virtual assets
The country will follow global crypto guidelines in excluding non-fungible tokens (NFTs) from its categorization of virtual assets — meaning income from NFTs may remain untaxed in Korea.
Ethereum sets new all-time price high as crypto market cap nears $3 trillion
Ethereum reached a new all-time price high of US$4,766 earlier today, flying past its previous all-time high record of US$4,634 set five days ago, according to CoinGecko data. Fast facts The world’s second-largest cryptocurrency by market value has been on a record run since late last month. On Oct. 28, Ethereum’s price climbed to US$4,416 for the first time. The […]
Canaan sues over patent infringement; PayTM considers crypto services
Canaan sues over patent infringement also, PayTM considers crypto services
Is 2021 the year of crypto’s coming of age?
Blockdata co-founder Jonathan Knegtel thinks so. Almost a teenager, Bitcoin is reaching a level of maturity that’s defying the predictions of its critics.
Crypto mining rig maker Canaan sues two Chinese tech companies over patent infringement
Canaan is seeking $14 million in alleged losses from Shenzhen HighSharp Electronic Technology and Sichuan Yinbimei Technology.
IPO-bound Paytm may launch crypto services if legalized in India
India digital payments giant Paytm will consider launching crypto-related services if it becomes a regulated asset class in the country, Paytm CFO Madhur Deora told Bloomberg TV on Thursday. Fast facts “Bitcoin is still in a regulatory gray area, if not a regulatory ban in India,” Deora said. “If it [Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies] was […]
Miami and NYC leaders vie for crypto-mayor title
The bell has rung on the friendly, post-Election Day competition between leaders of two major American cities for who will be the crypto-friendliest mayor of all.
What is the Solana ecosystem and how is it fueling SOL’s stratospheric rise?
Solana prices keep cresting to new heights, making SOL a top-five cryptocurrency by size. What makes Solana and its ecosystem stand out? Forkast.News explains.
Federal Reserve to taper bond purchases, prompting concerns over BTC impact
As the U.S. economy shows signs of recovery from the pandemic-related recession, the Federal Reserve has announced it will begin tapering the US$120 billion a month it spends on bond purchases, hoping to address concerns of rising inflation. This has caused unease in the crypto industry as Bitcoin adoption over the past 18 months has […]
Eric Adams wants New York to have a cryptocurrency
NYC Mayor-elect Eric Adams said he wanted to ‘look at what’s preventing the growth of Bitcoins and cryptocurrency in our city.’
Hong Kong Fintech Week’s live comeback talks digital renminbi and DeFi
One of Asia’s largest fintech events returns for its sixth year with a hybrid format of live and virtual sessions. Regulators, corporations and experts share what’s important now in crypto.
ETH and SOL hit all-time highs; CBA to offer crypto services
ETH and SOL hit all-time highs as well as CBA offers crypto services
Stablecoin toss to US Congress as regulators circle
Top blockchain and crypto news: Stablecoins at regulatory crossroads. Squid Game crypto players suffer shocking fate. Are metaverses China’s new national insecurity?
Dogecoin, Shiba Inu are becoming crypto alpha dogs in India
Dogecoin and Shiba Inu are gaining massive traction and ranking among the top five traded cryptocurrencies on Indian exchanges. Fast facts Dogecoin contributed 13.76% to the overall trading volume of CoinSwitch Kuber, which claims to be the largest Indian crypto exchange with over 10 million customers, over the last six months, according to a report […]
Ethereum, Solana, Polkadot climb to new all-time price highs in altcoin rally
Ethereum crosses the $4,600 mark for the first time and Solana overtakes Cardano as the fifth-largest cryptocurrency by market value.
Commonwealth Bank first in Australia to offer crypto trading
Amid debate in Australia surrounding the banking sector’s relationship with cryptocurrency, the country’s largest bank, Commonwealth Bank, will soon be allowing customers to buy, sell and hold crypto assets directly through its app — making it the first bank in the country to do so. Fast facts Partnering with leading global crypto exchange and custodian […]
CME expands crypto derivatives offerings with Micro Ether futures
The Chicago Mercantile Exchange is going to expand its crypto derivatives offerings and launch Micro Ether futures on Dec. 6, pending regulatory review. Fast facts Micro Ether futures will be sized at 1/10th of one Ether, allowing access to a wide range of investors amid surging Ether prices, according to a press release. Ether reached […]
BXH suffers US$130 million exploit; Squid game token meets deadly end
BXH suffers US$130 million exploit, also Squid game token meets deadly end
BXH says its exploit, now estimated at $139M, came from admin key leakage
The hacked DeFi platform called China’s cyber police first thing as most users appear to be in China.
Institutional inflows into crypto year-to-date 30% higher than 2020 total
Cryptocurrency investment products saw inflows of US$288 million last week, with total inflows year-to-date at a record of US$8.7 billion — 30% higher than the total for 2020, according to digital asset manager CoinShares. Fast facts Bitcoin continued to lead with institutional inflows of US$269 million last week, albeit at a significantly lower level compared […]
Another DeFi platform, BXH, suffers $130M exploit
This follows an attack on Cream Finance that also resulted in a $130M hack.
Why blockchain is the operating system of the digital age
Blockchain has achieved platform status, writes Don Tapscott of Blockchain Research Institute. Get ready for the ‘trivergence’ that will shake up the world.
China’s prefecture-level city Ganzhou cracks down on crypto activities
More local governments in China are taking actions to crack down on cryptocurrency mining and trading, with Ganzhou, a prefecture-level city in the eastern province of Jiangxi, having deployed checks and inspections on local businesses. Fast facts The economic development zone in Ganzhou announced that it is working with the central bank’s local branch, the […]
King Fury movie director launches monster figure NFTs
Martial arts comedy movie series “King Fury” director David Sandberg has launched a new non-fungible token series called “Unicorn Masters” inspired by monstrous action figures from movies in the 1980s and 90s. Fast facts The Halloween edition of Unicorn Masters contain 15 3D-rendered animated characters described as disturbed, disembodied and desiccated. The NFT characters look […]
Warning issued over K-pop crypto; Dog fight hits crypto market
Warning issued over K-pop crypto meanwhile Dog fight hits crypto market
Wharton business school to accept crypto for new blockchain education program
In the latest sign of the American business establishment’s warming embrace of cryptocurrency, the University of Pennsylvania’s prestigious Wharton business school will accept crypto for tuition payment for an online program. Fast facts The Wharton School’s new executive education program “Economics of Blockchain and Digital Assets” plans to accept cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin for tuition […]
Tales from the Crypt, 2021: 10 crypto horror stories
Behind this year’s giddy markets, evil and tragedies abound. Just in time for Halloween, Forkast.News shakes out the skeletons in crypto’s closet.
How can we better protect digital assets and guard against hackers?
As Asia warms to crypto, cyber attacks are growing in sophistication, writes Shahnawaz Backer of F5. What can be done to thwart bad actors?
DeFi platform Cream Finance suffers $130M exploit
This appears to be the third hack for the protocol this year — yet the biggest one so far.
DBS Bank first in Southeast Asia to join Hedera Governing Council
Singapore’s DBS Bank — Southeast Asia’s largest lender — has joined the Hedera Governing Council, a diverse group of companies that governs and supports the Hedera network, an enterprise-grade public ledger of transactions, according to a media statement. Fast facts DBS — the first and only bank in Southeast Asia to join the Governing Council […]
Sotheby’s first metaverse auction sees 1,500 bids, sets NFT records
Sotheby’s ended its Natively Digital 1.2 auction event with 1,500 bids on Tuesday, with a total turnover of US$18.6 million after nine days of live bidding. Three non-fungible tokens (NFTs) reached record bids, including #8817 Ape by Bored Ape Yacht Club, Rare Pepe PEPENOPOULOS, and Self Portrait #1 by Dmitri Cherniak, according to a press […]
Altair upgrade goes live; Hybe and Dunamu consider NFT venture
Altair upgrade goes live, also Hybe and Dunamu consider NFT venture.
A virtual K-pop girl group aims for the metaverse
South Korean mobile game developer Netmarble to create a virtual K-pop idol group under partnership with internet giant Kakao group using meta-human technologies.