Crypto mining rig maker Canaan names new CFO
Cryptocurrency mining rig manufacturer Canaan has announced the appointment of James Jin Cheng as its new CFO, following the resignation of his predecessor in February. Fast facts Cheng was previously vice president of Chinese internet recruiting platform Zhaopin Ltd., which listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2014 before being taken private in 2017. […]
Miami prepares launch of city cryptocurrency
The city of Miami is set to launch its own cryptocurrency, MiamiCoin, tomorrow. The token will allow people to invest in the city to fund infrastructure projects and events, according to a report by Decrypt. Fast facts The token is being released in partnership with CityCoin, a project that facilitates cities releasing their own tokens […]
Square acquires Afterpay for $29B to expand into ‘buy now pay later’
Global payments giant Square — which recently made moves into decentralized finance — is acquiring Australian “buy now pay later” fintech company Afterpay for US$29 billion (AU$39 billion) to expand its range of services, according to a recent company press release. Fast facts The purchase will enable Square’s CashApp and Seller business units to offer […]
China maintains crypto market pressure; J-Pop stars offer NFT advice
China maintains crypto market pressure. On the other hand, J-Pop stars offer NFT advice.
Binance in Malaysia ban as it ends derivatives trading in Germany, Italy, Netherlands
World’s biggest cryptocurrency exchange steps up compliance and cuts product offerings, with a ban in Malaysia and end of lucrative derivatives business in three EU nations.
U.S. infrastructure bill could bring sweeping regulatory changes to crypto
A provision in an infrastructure bill being debated by the U.S. Senate has prompted concerns in the crypto industry as it boosts Internal Revenue Service reporting requirements for investors and brokers. Fast facts According to the New York Times, the provision is an effort to help fund a US$ 1 trillion bipartisan bill and could […]
How NFTs can track patient consent for clinical trials and give you greater control over your own health data
A new NFT platform built on Hedera Hashgraph aims to give patients greater control over their health information. How does it work?
Japan’s Monex and SBI report strong Q2 results
Two of Japan’s largest crypto firms, Monex and SBI Groups, have seen strong performances in the second quarter of the year, according to the groups’ respective Q2 reports. Fast facts SBI operates two domestic exchanges, SBI VC Trade and the TaoTao platform, as well as the mining arm SBI Crypto and U.K.-based liquidity provider B2C2. […]
How Wall Street’s ‘best-kept secret’ now fuels high cryptocurrency yields
Celsius Network CEO says crypto lenders are using Wall Street’s ‘safest’ business tactic to provide high interest rates to customers. What are the risks?
Busan plans digital asset exchange; Tencent launches digital IOUs:
Busan plans digital asset exchange meanwhile Tencent launches digital IOUs.
10 key blockchain developments in healthcare toward Covid-19 in 2021
Blockchain technology is part of the important work being done toward a safer and healthier world. Lucas Schweiger of Blockdata summarizes this year’s strides forward.
Crypto exchange FTX.US daily trading volumes jump 150-fold in a year
FTX.US, the U.S. affiliate of Hong Kong-based cryptocurrency exchange FTX, saw its average daily trading volumes soar 150-fold in June compared to the same month a year before, according to the company’s mid-year results. Fast facts The company reported that FTX.US had a daily volume that ranged between US$150 million and US$1 billion in the […]
IMF wants to be part of world’s transition to a digital economy
The International Monetary Fund says it has a mandate to help countries around the world adopt and adapt to digital currencies, but only if the digital money is in the public interest — which Bitcoin is not, according to an IMF report published yesterday. Fast facts While the IMF recognizes the potential benefits of digital […]
Over 220 million people are now crypto users, says new report
The number of crypto users around the world grew to 221 million in June, double the number in January, according to a report released today by Hong Kong-based cryptocurrency exchange, Crypto.com. Fast facts Bitcoin drove the growth in crypto use from January to April, with companies such as Microstrategy, PayPal, Tesla and Visa buying into […]
Crypto retirement plans are on the rise. Are they a good idea?
Tokenization is creating new ways to invest. 3 crypto firms are partnering to also offer crypto retirement portfolios and inheritance planning.
India admits no crypto data; Korean crypto investor numbers plummet
Number of new South Korean crypto investors have tanked in the month of June as crypto mining investments boom outside China.
Number of new crypto investors in South Korea drops over 90%
New data provided by lawmaker Kim Hee-gon shows a significant decline in new users and the amount of transactions on the four largest cryptocurrency exchanges in South Korea. Fast facts The data aggregated by the four largest crypto exchanges in Korea — Upbit, Bithumb, Korbit and CoinOne — shows that their total of new users […]
Iran’s electric utility issues warning about Chinese crypto miners
Iranian state electric company Tavanir has warned judicial officials about Chinese cryptocurrency miners coming to Iran, an influx that could worsen the country’s power outage problems, according to local media reports. Fast facts Tavanir CEO Mohammad Hussein Motevallizadeh said in a letter published by local news website Eghtesadnews that the Chinese government’s crackdown on crypto […]
Crypto mining rig giant Bitmain divests from AntPool, the world’s biggest mining pool
Bitmain’s move comes amid China’s crypto mining crackdowns and AntPool’s shrinking hashrate. Is Bitmain gussying up for an IPO?
Stoner Cats cause trouble on Ethereum as NFT cartoon goes live
Sales of non-fungible tokens for “Stoner Cats,” the new adult cartoon featuring Ethereum creator Vitalik Buterin alongside Hollywood A-listers, resulted in losses totaling 344.6 ETH (US$790,000) to fans yesterday due to the influx of buyers who overwhelmed the Ethereum network and failed transactions, according to data from Dune Analytics. Fast facts The show, which sold […]
Amber Group launches CreatorFi NFT initiative to bridge traditional, crypto worlds
Hong Kong-based crypto financial services company Amber Group wants to bridge the gap between creators, collectors and platforms looking to get into NFTs and the crypto space.
Bitmain spins off Antpool; Binance CEO willing to step down
Binance CEO CZ confirms that a new executive may lead the organization. Meanwhile, Bitmain spins off one of the world’s largest mining pool Antpool.
Robinhood readies IPO as risks cast shadow over future earnings potential
The fee-free trading platform’s initial public offering promises plenty of action for retail investors, but pitfalls may lie in wait amid trading volatility and wider adoption of business model.
Binance CEO reiterates willingness to replace self, beefs up KYC
Binance also tightens withdrawal limits and unveils new tax reporting tool, to counter recent flurry of government investigations and bad publicity.
Dogecoin for dog food at Brazil’s Burger Kings
In the latest effort of crypto cross-promotion, Burger King Brazil is now accepting the memecoin Dogecoin as payment for a “Dogpper” — a special edible doggie treat for customer’s pets and a play on words of the fast-food chain’s famous burger, the Whopper. Fast facts The doggie treat is not new to Latin America. Burger […]
Digital asset custody platform Fireblocks completes $310 million fundraise
Capital increase takes company’s valuation to US$2 billion as it looks to grow customer base, partnerships.
Huobi deregisters Beijing entity; K-drama takes crypto back in time
Huobi deregisters Beijing entity while K-drama takes crypto back in time
What’s Ethereum price outlook for the rest of 2021?
Ethereum’s future is top of mind for a group of fintech experts polled by Finders. Where do they think Ethereum prices are headed, and will Ethereum overtake Bitcoin?
OKEx parent’s USDK stablecoin revenue dives almost 90%
OKG Technology Holdings, the parent company of crypto exchange OKEx, suffered an 89.8% year-on-year slump in revenue from operating Ethereum stablecoin USDK, its FY 2021 annual report shows. Fast facts Its USDK revenue was just HK$159,000 (US$20,470). Currently, USDK, which launched in 2019, has a market cap of US$28.68 million and a circulating supply of […]
IMF issues thinly veiled warning against crypto as legal tender
Following El Salvador’s making Bitcoin legal tender and ongoing speculation of further crypto adoption in Latin America, the International Monetary Fund has issued a thinly veiled warning to any country looking to follow suit. Fast facts While acknowledging the appeal to countries adopting cryptocurrencies as legal tender — especially for those with less stable economies […]
Crypto gets starring role in South Korean historical drama TV series
A cryptocurrency-themed TV drama series with a historical twist is currently in production in South Korea, depicting the make-believe arrival of a cryptocurrency in the country’s ancient Joseon Dynasty. Fast facts “The Age of Money,” as the show will be known, follows a fictional king trying to get to the bottom of an “invisible” brass […]
Tether rejects claims of renewed scrutiny over suspected bank fraud
World’s largest stablecoin dismisses report suggesting possibility of U.S. investigation, despite claims of recent Justice Department interest and track record of legal woes.
Goldman applies to launch decentralized finance ETF
As regulation permitting the establishment of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds remains stalled in the U.S., Goldman Sachs has officially applied for an ETF offering exposure to companies in decentralized finance and blockchain. Fast facts In a recent filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the bank said its fund — the Goldman Sachs Innovate DeFi […]
Bit Mining pivots overseas; Ethereum creator joins ‘Stoner Cats’ cast
Bit Mining pivots overseas as Ethereum creator Vitalik Buterin joins animated crypto series ‘Stoned Cats’ cast.
Bybit contributes $19M to BitDAO in ETH, USDT and USDC to support DeFi growth
Singapore-based crypto derivatives exchange Bybit today announced it had made a US$19.3 million contribution in Ethereum (ETH), Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC) to BitDAO, one of the world’s largest decentralized autonomous organizations, which it helped launch last month. Fast facts Many crypto projects, especially those in decentralized finance, have organized themselves as DAOs for […]
Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin to star with Mila Kunis in NFT-based show
As non-fungible tokens make their way into TV with a new funding model and method of building community, who better to lead a project than the head of Ethereum himself?
The many benefits that blockchain can bring to the internet of things (IoT) | Part 3
Blockchain technology can make a big impact on the world we live in, according to authors Kosrow Dehnad and Joe Duncan. A prime example: Tesla’s driverless vehicles.
NFTs, smart contracts come to ADA as Alonzo mainnet debut approaches
Wolfram Blockchain Labs and Cardano are set to host a livestream event in which items from Wolfram’s computational universe will be “Liveminted” as NFTs on the Cardano network. Details of the event were shared on the website of Cardano’s parent company, Input Output Hong Kong recently, which said it would take place on July 28. […]
Bitmain joins hands with Kazakhstan mining farm Enegix to host rigs
Chinese cryptocurrency mining rig maker Bitmain has partnered with Enegix, which runs one of the biggest crypto mining data centers in Kazakhstan, to host its Antminer machines in the Central Asian nation. Fast facts Bitmain said in a statement on Friday that it had joined hands with Enegix, a data center operator in Kazakhstan, to […]
BIT Mining to exit lottery business for crypto mining expansion
BIT Mining — a New York Stock Exchange-listed company that only months ago became a big investor in Chinese cryptocurrency mining — has decided to exit its Chinese lottery-related business and focus more on mining outside the country. Fast facts BIT Mining, formerly known as 500.com, has operated online sports lottery services, but announced on […]
Singapore crypto take-up reaches 43% of adults
Cryptocurrencies are gaining traction in Singapore, especially among younger investors. A survey of 1,000 Singaporeans carried out by Toluna, a consumer insights provider, has shown that 43% of Singaporeans own crypto and that 74% of them have increased their wealth by using it as an investment. Fast facts The survey is said to have been […]
Crypto-ransomware connection draws U.S. Senate scrutiny
Amid growing concerns surrounding ransomware attacks in the U.S., Senator Gary Peters has announced a bipartisan investigation of how cryptocurrencies could be facilitating such activity, Bitcoin.com reports. Fast facts In a statement, Sen. Peters, who is also the chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said: “The increased use of cryptocurrencies as the […]
Binance and FTX slash leverage limit from 100x to 20x amid crypto regulations heat
FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried says it’s time to move on from high leverage in crypto trading. Binance also seeks new CEO with a stronger regulatory background.
India issues CBDC update; Korea threatens to block exchanges
India updates its CBDC plans and Korea threatens to block exchanges
Binance chief ‘CZ’ seeks regulatory expert to lead as exchange looks to boost image
Speaking at an SCB 10X DeFi virtual summit, Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao says an IPO is not out of the question, but that the exchange first needs to set up corporate structures as it navigates increased regulatory scrutiny.
Ethereum in spotlight as prices recover, London hard fork looms and Paris conference closes
The cryptocurrency community is watching Ethereum closely, with the EthCC event in Paris having wrapped up, Ether prices showing new strength and the London upgrade just around the corner.
Sichuan shuts 1,360 hydropower stations for suspected crypto-related checks
Authorities in Sichuan — a southwestern Chinese province that was once a hotbed for crypto mining, thanks to its abundant hydropower resources — is tightening scrutiny of small hydropower stations, without giving any exact reasons behind the move. Fast facts The Sichuan Provincial Water Resources Department said that it had listed 5,131 small hydropower stations […]
SEC: Commissioners’ statement not relevant to Ripple’s XRP lawsuit defense
US Securities and Exchange Commission staffers say their appointed leaders’ views do not reflect the agency’s stance on Ripple and XRP.
Thai crypto miner found dead after suspected electronics accident
Case could be first fatality associated with mining, although hot-running equipment has history of starting fires.
India central bank plans digital Rupee rollout
India plans to implement the country’s digital currency in phases, Reserve Bank of India’s deputy governor Shri T Rabi Sankar said at a webinar organized by the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, New Delhi. Fast facts “CBDC (central bank digital currency) will be in the arsenal of most if not all central banks in the […]
Indonesian regulators play catch-up as crypto investment soars
Indonesia has seen red-hot growth in the crypto asset market, but the country’s regulators are just beginning to get to grips with burgeoning industry and formulate policy responses.
Ping An trials e-CNY; Core Scientific to go public
Ping An trials e-CNY while Core Scientific is the next to get on the SPAC train.
U.S. crypto miner Core Scientific to list via SPAC merger
U.S. cryptocurrency miner Core Scientific Holding is set to list on the Nasdaq exchange through a merger with a special-purpose acquisitions company, boosting the value of the combined business to around US$4.3 billion. Fast facts Core Scientific, one of the biggest crypto mining companies in the U.S., announced yesterday that it had entered into merger […]
India’s crypto community plays for time as New Delhi dithers on regulation
The prospect of a ban on cryptocurrencies has haunted the industry for years, but it appears to be receding as delayed rules give policymakers time to think before they act.
Why Thailand’s oldest bank is investing US$110 million in DeFi
In a special Q&A, Mukaya ‘Tai’ Panich of SCB 10X, the venture arm of Siam Commercial Bank, marvels at decentralized finance innovations. ‘Whatever traditional finance has, there’s a parallel version in DeFi.’
FTX closes record fundraise; China Mobile gets hot wallet patent
FTX closes record fundraise. Additionally, China Mobile gets hot wallet patent.
FTX’s $900 million deal. Dogecoin in the doghouse. Digital yuan dragnet.
Top blockchain and crypto news: FTX swells to $18 billion valuation. Etherum and Dogecoin disowned by creators. US pols call for Olympics boycott of e-yuan.
Crypto miner ships China-based rigs abroad in deal with U.S. fossil fuels firm
Optimum Mining Host-Black Rock Petroleum plan comes as Canaan seeks greener operations through Czech partnership.
Robinhood seeks market valuation of US$35B in upcoming IPO
Fee-free trading app Robinhood is seeking a market valuation of US$35 billion in its upcoming initial public offering, according to a filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Although the amount is significant, it is lower than the US$40 billion initially estimated, due in part to slow crypto trading in recent months. Fast facts […]
FTX crypto derivatives exchange closes record $900M Series B with $18B valuation
Fast-growing FTX just pulled off the largest-ever fundraise for a crypto exchange to date. Will heightened regulatory scrutiny lie in its near future?
Blockchain platform Enjin joins UN Global Compact to further sustainable NFT goals
Singapore-based Enjin, a non-fungible token and gaming blockchain platform, today announced it is joining the United Nations Global Compact corporate sustainability initiative as part of its efforts to develop a sustainable NFT ecosystem. Fast facts The Global Compact is a voluntary sustainability initiative for companies working towards implementing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Through its […]
Senators urge E-CNY ban; Russia woos crypto-miners
US Senators urge E-CNY ban while Russia woos crypto-miners
Chinese e-commerce giant Taobao sells NFTs at annual shopping festival
Demand for non-fungible tokens appears insatiable as industry distances itself from crypto sector to avoid crackdown.
Russia looks to tap demand for power as crypto miners flood out of China
Plentiful electricity, cold climate are among drawcards as Chinese mine operators flee crackdown at home.
Cryptocurrency payments appear to stall in Singapore
Retailers reluctant to accept currency they are said not to trust even as large finance sector players offer crypto products and beef up their holdings.
BlockFi ordered to stop offering interest accounts to New Jersey customers
U.S. crypto lending platform BlockFi has been ordered by the New Jersey Bureau of Securities to stop accepting new customers who are based in New Jersey for its interest-bearing accounts due to alleged violations of securities laws. The order takes effect from from July 22. Fast facts In a series of tweets, BlockFi’s CEO and […]
France calls for EU securities watchdog to regulate cryptos across bloc
The European Securities and Markets Authority should regulate digital currencies in the European Union, according to a proposal by the Autorité des marchés financiers, France’s securities regulator. Fast facts The AMF said it made sense for a single body to take charge of regulation across the bloc to ensure a Europe-wide framework could be applied, […]
U.S. needs ‘to act quickly’ to regulate stablecoins, treasury secretary says
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says that the United States needs “to act quickly to ensure there is an appropriate U.S. regulatory framework in place” for stablecoins. Fast facts Yellen made her comments at a Meeting of the President’s Working Group on Financial Markets, held on July 19. According to a readout of the meeting, […]
Turkey to debate crypto regulation bill in October
Turkey’s deputy finance minister says a draft bill to create a cryptocurrency regulatory framework will be submitted to parliament in October, according to a report by CNN Türk. Fast facts The bill will define different types of virtual currencies and principles for their issuance and distribution. The country’s Capital Markets Commission will supervise companies handling […]
Grayscale launches new DeFi fund to woo investors seeking token-free exposure
Cryptocurrency investment manager Grayscale has started a fund focused on decentralized finance tokens and based on CoinDesk’s new DeFi-specific index, the company has said in an announcement. Fast facts The fund offers investors a selection of leading DeFi protocols through a market capitalization-weighted portfolio designed to track the index. It allows investors to allocate funds […]
E-CNY white paper released; Malaysia steamrolls mining rigs
E-CNY white paper explains how it will work with physical RMB while Malaysia steamrolls mining rigs.
DeFi lending platform Aave to ‘build Twitter on Ethereum’
Decentralized lending platform Aave will build “Twitter on Ethereum,” its founder, Stani Kulechov, tweeted during the weekend. His message came seemingly in response to an announcement that Twitter founder Jack Dorsey was developing a Bitcoin-oriented fintech platform resembling Aave. Fast facts Dorsey, who is also CEO of payments company Square, tweeted that the firm was […]