Okto pledges US$5 mln to support Vauld users
The US$5 million fund aims to help Vauld users who can’t withdraw their assets from the platform.
Nomura-backed Komainu partners Crypto Garage for institutional crypto services
The collaboration aims to build institutional crypto services in Japan.
Circle to cease USDC minting for retail customers
Circle said the account closures do not apply to businesses or institutional Circle Mint accounts.
UK plans to introduce fiat-backed stablecoin rules in early 2024
The U.K. intends to introduce rules on fiat-backed stablecoins in early 2024, according to the government’s latest cryptocurrency policy update published on Monday. See related article: Singapore, Thailand clarify crypto rules; NFTs become new cultural frontier Fast Facts See related article: Blockchain tech in Thailand gets boost from new pro-crypto lead
Standard Chartered’s Zodia Custody to launch in Hong Kong
The move is part of an Asia Pacific expansion effort by the cryptocurrency custodian.
Thailand’s Kasikorn Bank buys majority stake in Satang crypto exchange
The lender, known as K-bank, said it will also open three additional crypto subsidiaries.
Astar, Startale Labs announce Web3 partnership with Japanese telecom giant, KDDI
Astar Network and Startale Labs partner with Japanese telecom giant KDDI to boost Web3 adoption.
Binance’s rollercoaster week: expansion, setbacks, and the ghost of FTX’s collapse
Top blockchain and crypto news: Is Japan a new frontier for Binance? AI art sweeps NFT sales. ETF buzz electrifies Bitcoin.
Binance Japan — death knell or savior for the nation’s smaller crypto exchanges?
Few tokens and too many exchanges are a bad recipe for Japan’s smaller crypto trading houses. The experts say there’s room for up to five only. So what happens to the little guy now that the world’s largest exchange Binance has rolled back into town?
Israel-Palestine crisis: Navigating the intersection of conflict, aid and blockchain
Top blockchain and crypto news: Gaza tensions, digital tremors, NFTs are not dancing in September, Joe Lubin talks traditional system’s twilight.
Coinbase Q3 trading volume drops 52% from last year
The current crypto bear market caused Coinbase’s trading volume to drop to levels not seen since 2020.
Malaysia grants Hata in-principle approval to operate digital asset exchange
The Malaysian Securities Commission has given crypto firm, Hata, a conditional approval to operate a “digital asset exchange” with a “digital broker” license.
Bitmain reportedly suspended employee salaries from September
Bitmain, one of the world’s largest Bitcoin application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) manufacturers, has suspended employee salary payments from September, according to a Tuesday report by China-based tech news outlet Leiphone. See related article: Hamas crypto donation accounts frozen by Israel police Fast Facts See related article: CMCC Global raises US$100 mln to launch Hong Kong […]
Blockchain’s 2 billionth user could be an AI, says Joe Lubin
The CEO of blockchain services provider Consensys and co-founder of Ethereum spoke to Forkast at the Token 2049 crypto conference in Singapore. He discussed decentralization and what he sees as the crucial role to be played by blockchain in AI and vice-versa.
Gitcoin error sends US$460,000 to digital void
Crowdfunding platform Gitcoin’s project lead Jonathan Miller said he accidentally sent approximately US$460,000 worth of Gitcoin tokens (GTC) to an unrecoverable contract address. See related article: DOJ seeks to block Bankman-Fried from bringing up Anthropic fundraise in court Fast Forkast See related article: SBF trial kicks off, Singapore gives crypto licenses as blockchain data comes […]
Can Asia’s progressive regulators tame crypto’s Wild West?
The Web3 sun is shining in Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan, where forward-thinking regulations are fostering crypto’s growth while boosting investor protections.
CMCC Global raises US$100 mln to launch Hong Kong Web3 fund
CMCC Global, a Hong Kong-based blockchain-focused venture capital fund, announced Wednesday that it raised US$100 million to launch the “Titan Fund.” See related article: SFC to monitor illegal VATP activities with Hong Kong Police Force Fast Facts See related article: Valkyrie CIO expects US spot Bitcoin ETF approval in Q2 2024 (Update adds comment from […]
Silver Lining? Google Cloud’s head of Web3 talks Big Tech possibilities for the blockchain
At the Token 2049 crypto conference in Singapore held Sept. 13 to 14, Google Cloud’s James Tromans spoke to Forkast about a possible marriage between Webs 2 and 3.
Chainalysis cuts 150 employees
Chainalysis, a New York-headquartered blockchain intelligence firm, is reportedly laying off about 150 employees, or approximately 15% of the 900 staff members. See related article: ‘There’s no doubt we picked a side here’ — Chainalysis founder Michael Gronager talks analytics, Ukraine and crypto adoption in Asia Fast Facts See related article: Bitwise to launch two […]
Philippines no plans to mirror U.S. SEC’s ‘crypto crackdown’, to publish crypto framework by H1 of 2024, says securities regulator
The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission delayed the publishing of a crypto framework earlier this year citing the FTX collapse in late 2022 as the reason.
‘There’s no doubt we picked a side here’ — Chainalysis founder Michael Gronager talks analytics, Ukraine and crypto adoption in Asia
In the second in a series of 1-on-1 interviews from the Token 2049 crypto conference in Singapore held Sept. 13-14, Michael Gronager, founder of blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis, spoke to Forkast about crypto use in the Ukraine conflict, tracking illicit on-chain activity and digital asset adoption in Asia.
PayPal’s stablecoin is a big step forward for crypto’s legitimacy but not much yet for the cause
PYUSD’s launch is injecting much-needed trust into crypto’s turbulent landscape, but its current form does not come with any of the benefits of real crypto, writes Danny Chong, co-founder of Tranchess.
SEC has lost again. What’s next for digital assets?
With winds in its legal sails, crypto is now poised to evolve into a complete economy with its own financial products and capital markets. The question is when.
AI, Asia and analytics — an interview with Nansen’s Alex Svanevik
Blockchain analytics are key to understanding the nascent crypto industry. But the analysis sector is far from immune from the pressures of the ongoing crypto bear market. In the first of a series of 1-on-1 interviews from the Token2049 conference held in Singapore Sept. 13-14, Alex Svanevik, CEO of blockchain analytics firm Nansen, sat down with Forkast to discuss current crypto challenges, the Asia growth market and the increasing use of artificial intelligence in the industry.
Hong Kong may tighten enforcement amidst JPEX scandal, says former SFC official
The JPEX scandal sheds light on the vulnerabilities in Hong Kong’s crypto marketplace, prompting reflection on regulatory safeguards as the city aspires to be a global digital asset hub, former SFC regulator Angelina Kwan says.
Matic biggest loser among top 10; Bitcoin falls, Ether dips below US$1,600
Matic was the biggest loser in the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, falling alongside most other cryptos and with Ether falling below US$1,600. Despite Bitcoin’s sluggish price action, industry experts say that institutions continue adopting the world’s first cryptocurrency. See related article: Weekly Market Wrap: Deutsche Bank’s crypto move propels Bitcoin to US$26,750 MATIC […]
US SEC to tighten regulatory enforcement beyond Coinbase, Binance.US
Top blockchain and crypto news: U.S. SEC steps up regulatory enforcement. Gaming giant Zynga moves into NFTs. Woes ahead for JPEX exchange after HK arrests.
Toncoin leads declines, Bitcoin dips below US$27,000
Toncoin was the biggest loser in the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, falling alongside most other cryptos except Dogecoin. With Bitcoin below US$27,000, FTX’s crypto liquidations could keep prices subdued for the rest of the month, market analysts told Forkast. See related article: Weekly Market Wrap: Deutsche Bank’s crypto move propels Bitcoin to US$26,750 […]
Toncoin leads top 10 cryptos with weekly gain of 31%, could Bitcoin rise to US$30,000 by October?
Toncoin led gainers in the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, rising over 31% since its Telegram partnership last week. Despite Bitcoin’s short-term corrections, it could return above the US$30,000 support level by October, according to market experts. See related article: Weekly Market Wrap: Deutsche Bank’s crypto move propels Bitcoin to US$26,750 TON leads winners, […]
Solana leads winners in top 10 cryptos; Bitcoin, Ether rise for 2nd consecutive day
Solana led gainers in the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, recovering from a two-month low. Bitcoin and Ether rose during afternoon trading in Asia along with most cryptos. Market experts said that the continued entrance of large institutions could provide the crypto industry more legitimacy and price stability. See related article: Weekly Market Wrap: […]
Citigroup debuts digital token service for institutional clients
Citigroup announced Monday the launch of its new blockchain-based cross-border payments solution for institutional clients.
JPEX crypto exchange shuts trading amid Hong Kong regulator probe
Dubai-based cryptocurrency exchange JPEX is shutting trading its platform amid a probe by the Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission that said the firm was operating as an unlicensed entity, according to media reports.
What Europe’s new spot Bitcoin ETF means for global markets
Europe’s first spot Bitcoin ETF ushers in an era where traditional finance and crypto are converging, setting the stage for digital assets to become mainstays in the economy.
Friend.tech a surprise hit among crypto investors at Token2049 as they urge ecosystem expansion
Funders see the novel social media network as emblematic of an abundance of opportunity in crypto and DeFi amid infrastructure gaps and increased integration with real-world assets
Crypto and Formula One’s honeymoon is over, can Web3 save a rocky marriage?
The third installment of Forkast’s ‘Crypto in Sport’ series comes from Singapore, which this week plays host to Formula One’s Singapore Grand Prix. Crypto companies poured hundreds of millions of sponsorship money into F1 at the height of the bull market, but might a prolonged crypto winter pull the plug on this marriage of convenience? Or can diversification and real world use cases help breathe new life into the relationship? Welcome to crypto’s very own drive to survive.
Binance.US cuts manpower, FTX liquidates crypto as people throng to TOKEN 2049
We bring you to one of the biggest crypto events in Asia.
Weekly Market Wrap: Deutsche Bank’s crypto move propels Bitcoin to US$26,750
Bitcoin hit a weekly high of US$26,750 after Deutsche Bank announced plans to offer crypto custody services for institutional investors, days after Standard Chartered launched its own institutional crypto wing.
Binance.US CEO calls it quits amid major layoffs
Top blockchain and crypto news: Binance.US undergoes staffing shakeup. Ethereum NFTs at risk. India to take a stand on crypto.
Bitcoin, Ether bounce back; altcoins recover after FTX panic
Bitcoin rose on Wednesday morning in Asia to near US$26,000. Ether also bounced back to near US$1,600. All other top 10 non-stablecoin tokens logged gains.
Bitcoin, Ether continue to slide; altcoins under pressure
Bitcoin remained under US$26,000 and Ether dropped below US$1,600 in Tuesday afternoon trade in Asia.
Korea Blockchain Week: diverging crypto paths for the US and Asia
The annual Korea Blockchain Week conference in Seoul is running from Sept. 4 to 10. Crypto industry leaders and advocates from around the world have gathered in the South Korean capital to discuss all things blockchain, including the growing regulatory gap between the U.S. and Asia.
Coinbase and Wall Street: The merging worlds of TradFi and crypto
Top blockchain and crypto news: Coinbase steps up to fill void of crypto lenders. NFTs extend losses. What’s next for crypto as Singapore gets a new president?
US regulation could stifle blockchain innovation, says former White House cybersecurity director
Blockchain innovation in the U.S. could suffer from over-regulation of the crypto industry, cybersecurity expert Carole house said.
India’s G20 presidency has failed to advance global crypto governance, ex-finance secretary says
With nine months under its G20 presidency belt, India’s approach to cryptocurrency governance remains static. Amid regulatory ambiguity, the nation’s crypto industry struggles to cope with stringent tax rules.
Bitcoin below US$26,000, most other top 10 cryptos extend losses
Bitcoin, Ether and other cryptos dropped on Friday afternoon in Asia. Toncoin and Tron gained.
Bitcoin dips below US$26,000, crypto faces downward pressure amid Fed’s rate hike signals
Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies face headwinds on the first trading day of the week in Asia following the U.S. central bank’s Jackson Hole Symposium remarks, while Tron bucks the trend with modest gains.
SOL reverses gains, Bitcoin holds US$26,000, top cryptos fall ahead of Powell’s speech
SOL reversed Thursday’s gains from its Shopify partnership while XRP fell to a six-week low. Bitcoin and Ether inched up during afternoon trading but struggled to gain more upward momentum.
Bitcoin, Ether rise with SOL leading winners in top 10 cryptos
SOL was the biggest gainer in the top 10 following its Shopify deal. Bitcoin and Ether also rose along with most top 10 cryptocurrencies.
SOL falls to six-week low, BNB biggest gainer despite reports of Binance violating Russian sanctions
Bitcoin recaptured the US$26,000 mark today, while Solana fell to a six-week low. BNB was the biggest gainer in the top 10, despite allegations against Binance resurfacing.
Japan Nomura’s crypto custody firm Komainu bags Dubai license
announced Tuesday that it received an operating license from the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) in Dubai.
Bitcoin holds US$26,000, BNB flirts with annual low
Bitcoin holds its ground above US$26,000, but the top 10 cryptocurrencies see a dip. BNB remains subdued as Binance’s payment partner woes intensify.
Coinbase buys equity stake in Circle
Coinbase Global announced Monday that it is acquiring an equity stake in Circle Internet Financial, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin.
Bitcoin stabilizes as ETF enthusiasm tapers off
Bitcoin stabilized above the US$26,000 mark following last week’s sell-off. Top cryptos struggle to gain momentum as Bitcoin ETF applications continue to be delayed.
How the rise of asset tokenization could redraw global financial power maps: Opinion
Fractionalizing assets on-chain can greatly increase liquidity, security and market efficiency, writes Hamilton Keats. Here are the key trends and challenges.
By royal decree — the UK moves toward regulating crypto
This first installment in a 3-part series on the U.K. digital asset industry looks at recent efforts to regulate crypto and expand the sector.
SEC wants to question Terra’s Daniel Shin, could ask South Korea for help
The U.S. SEC could call for South Korea’s cooperation in questioning Daniel Shin, co-founder of Terraform Labs.
XRP erases gains from Ripple’s partial victory as Bitcoin falls 10% in a week
Macroeconomic factors hit investor sentiment while a U.S. judge’s consent to SEC over its ongoing tussle with Ripple Labs affects crypto prices.
SEC granted permission to file interlocutory appeal in Ripple case
Judge Analisa Torres has granted the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) the request to file an interlocutory appeal in its lawsuit against Ripple Labs.
Over $1 billion in crypto market liquidations as Bitcoin hits 2-month low
Bitcoin traded at around US$26,800 on Thursday morning in Asia after hitting a two-month low of around US$25,400. Ether fell below US$1,700.
Bitcoin steady at US$28,500; Dogecoin leads market decline in Asia
Global institutional intrigue in digital currencies grows but the cryptocurrency market shows no signs of rallying.
Bitcoin extends losses as BNB falls after Binance closes payment service
Bitcoin extends the day’s losses but keeps above US$29,000, while Binance’s BNB drops amid exchange’s payment service closure.
BTC Markets CEO sees silver lining in Australian banks’ crypto clampdown
Australian banks are heightening scrutiny on digital asset exchanges and restricting crypto payments due to rising scams and frauds. Caroline Bowler, CEO of BTC Markets highlights the challenges and opportunities faced by the industry in the country.
Why smart money is pushing the big idea of ‘purpose-bound money’: Opinion
Recently proposed by Singapore in collaboration with fintech heavy hitters, PBM can be a powerful tool for promoting accountability and efficiency, writes Anndy Lian. But it’s not without risks.
Weekly Market Wrap: Bitcoin plunges under US$30,000 amid market turbulence. Is US$27,000 next?
Bitcoin dips below US$30,000 and Ether loses ground as a mix of bleak sentiment, SEC suits and recent hacks test investor nerves.
Hackers hit Curve, China announces blockchain link & is FTX back?
Welcome to Forkast IQ, presented by Angie Lau, where we look beyond the headlines to get you insights that power smarter decisions. Coming up on today’s show:
Japan’s blockchain group lobbies for tax change
Japan’s blockchain group urges tax change. Bitcoin NFT struggles but it may be a sleeping giant. Litecoin falls after halving.
Litecoin prices fall 6% after third halving event
Litecoin prices have lost over 6% since it completed its third halving event on Wednesday evening in Asia.
Bitcoin returns above US$29,000 support level, most top 10 tokens rise
Bitcoin was the day’s biggest gainer, rising 2.11% in the past 24 hours. Ether rose 1.11%.
Bitcoin, Ether extend losses; most other top 10 cryptos fall
Bitcoin fell in Tuesday afternoon trading in Asia, dipping below the support level of US$29,000.
Crypto’s latest inflection point an opportunity for Asia to lead, says Circle’s Yam Ki Chan
Speaking at the WebX Asia conference in Tokyo, Circle’s Singapore-based vice president of strategy and policy discusses U.S. regulation, growing pains in the crypto industry and Asia’s burgeoning role as a Web3 innovator.
Bitcoin, Ether dip but remain range-bound following Curve Finance hack
Bitcoin and Ether prices dropped on Monday morning in Asia, but remained above key support levels. Altcoins fell on Curve Finance hack.
Is Worldcoin’s free crypto more than just a freebie?
Concerns arise over Worldcoin’s free crypto. NFT market does a crabwalk. Japan’s next big thing for the metaverse.