Crypto market rebound is short-lived as Russia tensions loom

Investor relief at last week’s slight market rebound gave way to concerns over military tensions in Ukraine, sending crypto and traditional markets reeling.

Korea’s crypto unicorns; Hong Kong’s e-CNY pilot

Korea’s crypto sector spawns two unicorns, meanwhile Hong Kong is set to be an idea cross-border e-CNY test city.

Hong Kong makes apt testbed for e-CNY cross-border use

The city’s global reach, Hong Kong dollar and mainland ties make it a good fit for Chinese authorities to trial e-CNY international payments.

How DeFi’s user interface problems are deterring widespread adoption

DeFi can put investors at risk if they don’t understand how it works, writes Korapat Arunanondchai. Here’s how to improve user experience.

Pakistan’s crypto warning; Indian banks’ crypto reluctance

Pakistan’s State Bank governor warns crypto’s risks, also in India, banks show crypto reluctancy.

Prime time for crypto as Super Bowl ads make splash

Top blockchain and crypto news: Super Bowl score for digital asset exchanges. CryptoPunks holders face copyright conundrum. Hong Kong warns of NFT risks.

RBI is causing crypto hesitancy among Indian banks

India’s crypto tax plan was expected to bolster adoption, but the central bank’s hold on the banking sector puts a check on crypto-related services.

HK watchdog’s NFT warning; DBS plans crypto expansion

HK watchdog’s sends out warning calling NFT a threat, meanwhile in Singapore DBS plans a crypto expansion

Bitcoin’s 30-day performance shows it’s not just another tech stock

As Bitcoin’s price movement began to mirror that of traditional markets, some likened it to tech stocks. Its recent price action shows otherwise.

Will the new multi-chain world ignite another ‘DeFi summer’?

2022 will see a flowering ecosystem of blockchains working together, writes Will Harborne of DeversiFi. Here’s what the multi-chain future will look like.

Peirce dissents from SEC’s US$100M BlockFi settlement

SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, dubbed Crypto Mom, dissented in Monday’s US$100M BlockFi settlement, saying the punishment does not fit the crime.

Alibaba and Canaan’s AI team up; Metahuman creates Valentine’s NFT

Chinese giant Alibaba and Canaan team up to work on AI. Meanwhile, Valentine NFTs are created by meta-human using auction data.

Forget synthetic wombs. Give women more opportunities in DeFi and Web3

Vitalik Buterin’s advocacy of synthetic wombs misses the point, writes Izzy Howell of Cypher. Here’s why crypto can do more for gender equality.

‘All eyes are on it:’ CryptoPunks at center of copyright legal dispute

The biggest-selling NFT collection of all time has two competing versions, threatening to undermine the value of the tokens and faith in the industry itself.

Indian exchanges scramble to implement crypto tax by April 1 deadline

Exchanges say the crypto tax was announced without key directives. While exchanges await clarity, they struggle to figure out their role in the tax system.

RBI chief’s crypto warning; Korean crypto execs jailed

Reserve Bank of India’s chief sends crypto warning. In addition, Korean crypto execs gets jailed

Collision or coexistence: Can CBDCs and crypto live side by side?

As more countries announce plans for central bank digital currencies, will that break crypto’s promise as the future of money?

Guilty verdicts handed down in S.Korea’s biggest crypto scam

Seven executives of scam crypto exchange V Global were found guilty on Friday and sentenced to jail time — but it might not be enough to console victims.

Will the growing regulatory heat on stablecoins stifle innovation?

As stablecoins face pressure to adopt traditional safeguards, the industry’s efforts to self-regulate should not be overlooked, writes Charlie Martin of Gro.

Bandai Namco plans IP metaverse; Russia’s crypto flip

Japanese gaming giant Bandai Namco plans on a metaverse with their IP meanwhile, Russia does a crypto flip.

China’s e-CNY pilot to boost Hong Kong as offshore yuan trading center

Upcoming digital yuan trial to piggyback on Hong Kong’s popular Faster Payment System for smoother cross-border transactions.

Indian crypto tax creates more confusion than clarity for traders, exchanges

The announcement of a crypto tax dispelled fears of a ban but left exchanges wondering whether they may be hurt in the long run.

Fan friction: What’s keeping influencers and artist communities from Web3?

The new token economy offers unparalleled opportunities for content creators, writes Weiwei Geng of Unite.io. Improving user experience will be key.

FastForkast headlines

Hong Kong gears up for its first metaverse ETF

Corporate social credit gets stamped on blockchain in China’s southeast

Indian dating app attempts to start metaverse dating trend

South Korean university to issue NFTs to all 2,830 graduates

Israel added to Binance’s list of global regulatory trouble spots

Bitcoin leads market-wide downturn as Russia fears rise

Biden to order crypto oversight: report

Australia’s NRL latest sporting league to ink crypto sponsorship

Animoca Brands’ new Japan arm aims to connect fans in Web 3.0 world

GBA among approved regions for China’s blockchain-powered data hubs

NEO gets price bump after NFT integration on BSN

Indian media giant’s Fully Faltoo NFTs sell out in 48 hours

Two crypto exchanges reach unicorn status in South Korea

US NFT trademarks increase by 420-fold in 2021: report

Crypto assets, stablecoins pose risk to global financial stability: FSB

Binance rebrands blockchains for metaverse, DeFi expansions

Binance US under probe for ties with trading affiliates: report

Russia may tax Bitcoin miners, create hotspots: report

Pakistani central bank echoes RBI’s concerns over crypto

State-backed newspaper is giving out NFTs amid unclear regulation

Fifth S.Korean crypto exchange crosses regulatory finish line

Warren Buffett invests $1B in Bitcoin-friendly Nubank

BSN to integrate Neo’s chain to bolster NFT issuance in China

Genshin Impact developer launches HoYoverse, teases metaverse

RBI calls for crypto ban in India, again

DBS Digital Exchange hits new high in trading value

Hong Kong’s Ocean Park brings virtual attractions to The Sandbox metaverse

S.Korean regulators to strengthen watch over NFTs and the metaverse

NFTs, metaverse listed as top ‘must watch’ security risks in Hong Kong

Super Bowl ad blitz not enough for exchanges to top Binance sales

India government, central bank in ‘complete harmony’ on crypto: FM

Ethereum price expected to hit $7,609 in 2022: report

Cryptocurrencies are not legal in India, future uncertain: Union minister

Bitcoin outperforms tech stocks by 12% average in last 30 days

Crypto exchanges compete in Super Bowl ad blitz

Bitcoin hashrate reaches new ATH in 32% surge

Samsung-backed university to issue NFTs to select graduates

Phillips to auction metahuman-made NFTs for Valentine’s Day

Tiger Global leads $50M round in Philippine crypto exchange

North Korea refutes crypto hack allegation, claims the US made it up

Crypto is ‘not even a tulip,’ India’s central bank chief says

S.Korean gaming giant Netmarble partners with Binance for GameFi

EU to introduce bill next year to plan a digital euro

Fan tokens enjoy weekly sales surge while NFTs slump

E-CNY chief says digital dollar poses no threat to China

OpenSea delists CryptoPunks V1 after DMCA notice from Larva Labs

Crypto to be OK’d for circulation in Russia, as ban concerns fade

UN approves NFT standards proposed by Tencent, Ant Group: report

Pac-Man owner Bandai Namco to invest $130M in metaverse