What is Polkadot and why is it one of the hottest blockchains right now?
The final phase of Polkadot’s rollout — with parachains — just kicked off. Here’s what you need to know about Polkadot and parachains, and why it matters.
Elon Musk slips down rich list as Tesla’s stock loses shine
Tesla founder Elon Musk has lost his position as the world’s second-richest person following a 2.2% decline in the electric carmaker’s share price.
Fund managers urge caution amid crypto price swings
Fund managers have reacted swiftly to the latest price volatility in the cryptocurrency market triggered by recent Elon Musk tweets that have raised doubts over Tesla’s future relationship with Bitcoin, the Financial Times reports. Fast Facts: T Rowe Price President and Head of Investments Rob Sharps recognized the impact of cryptocurrencies across capital markets, but […]
Elon Musk Dogecoin tweet draws ire of crypto heavyweights
A tweet about Dogecoin by Tesla founder Elon Musk provoked a terse response from high-profile figures in the cryptocurrency industry on Sunday. Fast Facts: Musk responded to a tweet in which Twitter user @itsALLrisky claimed that Dogecoin was superior to Bitcoin, tweeting back: “Ideally, Doge speeds up block time 10X, increases block size 10X & drops […]
India’s demand for crypto ‘growing like crazy’ since ban attempt
It’s only a matter of time that digital currency ‘is going to overshadow all the other forms of money,’ says Neeraj Khandelwal of CoinDCX.
S. Korea facing backlash for banning police from owning crypto
To improve public trust, South Korea is barring police officers from buying cryptocurrency. Could this presage a broader clampdown on crypto in the country?
Binance under fire; Internet giant Naver takes on South Korea’s CBDC | The Daily Forkast
The Asian crypto industry reacts to the US Department of Justice and Internal Revenue Service money laundering probe into Binance. In South Korea, the nation’s largest internet company plans to join Bank of Korea’s CBDC ventures. Over in Singapore, Southeast Asia’s largest lender DBS Bank expands its crypto services for its private bank clients by […]
DBS Bank rolls out crypto estate planning for the ultra-rich
What will happen to your Bitcoin keys and crypto wallets when you die? Southeast Asia’s largest bank will now take care of it all for the super wealthy.
CZ bites back at Binance probe sensationalism — ‘Anyways. Back to work’
Yet another U.S. regulatory probe of leading crypto exchange Binance is underway, but CEO Changpeng Zhao isn’t impressed with news headlines.
Up to 46M U.S. retail consumers eye crypto as means of payment
As many as 46 million U.S. consumers will consider using cryptocurrency to make retail purchases, regardless of whether or not they currently own crypto, a joint study by media outlet PYMNTS and Bitcoin payment service BitPay shows. Extrapolation indicates that purchases made using cryptocurrency could conservatively represent around 1% of all retail sales in the […]
DBS Private Bank launches crypto trust offering
Singapore’s DBS Private Bank has announced the launch of Asia’s first bank-backed trust offering for cryptocurrencies. The service, operated via the lender’s wholly-owned licensed trust subsidiary, DBS Trustee, allows clients to invest, custodize and manage their digital assets. The service will handle only those cryptocurrencies hosted on the DBS Digital Exchange — Bitcoin, Ether, Bitcoin […]
Binance faces U.S. probe amid money-laundering, tax suspicions
Binance, the world’s biggest cryptocurrency exchange, is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice and Internal Revenue Service over alleged illegal activities. Officials responsible for investigating money laundering and tax breaches have interviewed individuals familiar with Binance’s activities, according to a report by Bloomberg. In March, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission said it […]
NFT player Animoca hits unicorn status with $89 million capital raise
Animoca Brands’ valuation tops US$1 billion as it charges forward in the NFT and blockchain gaming space with $88,888,888 in new funding.
How FTX crypto exchange won over 1 million investors and grew 25-fold
FTX crypto derivatives exchange pioneered TRUMP crypto futures and now dwarfs Coinbase in trading volume. Is going public in FTX’s near future?
US dollar dominance waning as CBDCs enter global spotlight
Global US dollar reserves touched a 25-year low in Q4 2020, according to a new IMF report. Will a digital euro and e-RMB muscle in?
SHIBA INU trends in Chinese social media; Indonesia mulls crypto tax | The Daily Forkast
Shiba Inu is the new “Doge killer” and Chinese investors “can’t get enough” of it, says Gate.io, as #SHIB trends in Weibo.
Ethereum market cap now half trillion dollars as Ether price hits ATH of $4,360
Ethereum prices rally to new all-time high as Bitcoin’s dominance keeps sliding. Is Ethereum’s upcoming EIP 1559 upgrade boosting its value proposition?
What is the real value of joke coins like Dogecoin and SHIB?
Crypto veterans are appalled by the sudden popularity of $hitcoins like DOGE and SHIB. But others say memecoins are making investing more accessible.
Indonesia eyes crypto trade tax as sector heats up
Indonesia’s tax authority is studying a proposal to tax cryptocurrency trading as interest in digital currencies gains momentum among local investors. Directorate General of Taxes spokesman Neilmaldrin Noor was quoted by Reuters as saying, “If there is a profit or capital gain generated from a transaction, the profit is an object of income tax. So […]
Thailand’s Brooker Group bets US$48 million on DeFi, decentralized apps
Bangkok-headquartered financial consultancy and capital manager The Brooker Group is set to invest US$48 million in a portfolio of decentralized applications and decentralized finance tokens, a move that will see the company commit around half of its assets to the sector. The firm has identified what it describes in a press release as “huge” growth […]
Block.one raises US$10B to launch Bullish Global, set up new crypto exchange
Software company Block.one today announced the launch of new subsidiary Bullish Global. An independent entity that will operate under Block.one’s parentage, Bullish Global is focused on the rollout this year of Bullish, a blockchain-based cryptocurrency exchange, according to a press release sent to Forkast.News. Bullish aims to combine the performance, user privacy and compliance offered […]
FTX CEO on tokenized stocks; South Korean police officers want crypto | The Daily Forkast
FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried joins Forkast.News to share how the exchange is able to provide new financial products while still satisfying regulators.
How S. Korea and Singapore are grappling with crypto investor protection
As retail interest in crypto grows, countries around the world are grappling with consumer protection. Asia offers a window into the array of policy responses.
SNL lights too bright for Dogecoin; ESG investments join crypto | The Daily Forkast
Dogecoin is on its weekend hangover as trading volumes in India’s WazirX for DOGE reaches new heights. Meanwhile, ESG investments tackle crypto.
SEC demands Ripple reveal legal advice Ripple received on XRP
In the latest volley in SEC v. Ripple Labs, the SEC contends that Ripple has waived its attorney-client privilege over legal advice on XRP’s status.
Ethereum prices break $4,000 for first time—what’s driving ETH’s surge?
Is it all those new Ethereum ETFs, rising demand for Ethereum from DeFi and NFTs, or lower gas fees fueling ETH’s price jump to yet another all-time high?
BCH gets the nod from Japan; Digital yuan travels to the countryside | The Daily Forkast
While Bitcoin Cash surges, we visit a Japanese coffee shop owner who just started accepting BCH as payment.
Ripple’s XRP sales increased over 90% in 1Q 2021
XRP sales by Ripple accounted for 0.07% of global XRP volume. Ripple says its sales were to support on-demand liquidity customers.
How R3 is growing Corda’s reach with China’s Blockchain Services Network
R3’s Corda — one of the most widely used blockchains of Corporate America — is coming to China. What does it mean for the US and Europe?
High-end Miami condos to be city’s first flats with crypto price tag
Developer of Arte by Antonio Citterio partners with blockchain platform to allow buyers to pay with cryptocurrency. Sapir Corp, the developer of the Surfside district condominium, has teamed up with blockchain and securities trading platform SolidBlock to allow buyers of the luxury residences to purchase them using cryptocurrency. The partnership between Sapir Corp and SolidBlock […]
Chia mining craze is causing massive hard drive shortages in China
The new self-proclaimed eco-friendly crypto leverages unused disk space — but Chia miners are buying out new hard drives and equipment instead.
Seoul crypto exchange raided over alleged multimillion-dollar fraud
More than $200 million of assets seized from firm identified as VGlobal. South Korean police have raided a Seoul-based cryptocurrency exchange over an alleged multi-level marketing fraud. The exchange, identified as VGlobal, according to a report by Bitcoin.com, stands accused of stealing millions of dollars from investors. According to the Yonhap news agency, police raided […]
Report: 1.7 million DeFi users now on Ethereum, 50% more since Jan. 1
ConsenSys Codefi’s Q1 report on decentralized finance (DeFi) trends also saw 7x growth in stablecoins and predicts flashbots dominating the Ethereum network.
South Korea to impose 20% capital gains tax on crypto in 2022
South Korea’s finance department on Wednesday announced a new rule imposing a 20% capital gains tax on cryptocurrency transaction gains starting in 2022. However, cryptocurrency investors are entitled to a tax deduction for expenses incurred during mining. The country’s Ministry of Economy and Finance explained cryptocurrency transaction gains exceeding 2.5 million won (about US$2,230) would […]
Crypto demand grows in Australia as rich families seek investment edge
Institutional interest propels cryptocurrencies into mainstream for wealthy investors looking to diversify portfolios. High net worth Australians are committing increasing sums in cryptocurrencies as digital assets move from the fringes of investment markets and become steadily more mainstream. Leigh Travers, executive director of technology investment firm DigitalX, says he has observed a growing trend toward […]
Nokia unveils blockchain-enabled marketplace for monetizing data exchange, analysis
Finland-based mobile phone manufacturer Nokia unveiled its blockchain-enabled Nokia Data Marketplace on Wednesday, said to offer monetized data exchange and analysis capabilities. In a statement, the company said the service would allow its partners from various industries to collaborate via private blockchain, leveraging AI and automated mechanisms in real time to address rapidly growing data […]
Ethereum and Dogecoin prices skyrocket. Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto talent search. Mastercard wants in on CBDCs.
Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: S&P Dow Jones launches Bitcoin and Ethereum indices. Will China crack down on more crypto miners?
How Uniswap V3 and smartBCH seek to streamline DeFi, save on gas
The days of ‘DeFi’ being an insider buzzword are over. But gas fees remain high and the road bumpy. Will Uniswap V3 and smartBCH change anything?
Dogecoin price jumps to new ATH with Gemini support for DOGE
Dogecoin’s price is now at an all-time high of 69 cents, and the joke crypto is now bigger than Ford and Nintendo. Are DOGE investors high on Gemini?
5 US digital dollar pilots launching to chase China’s CBDC lead
The private sector-led Digital Dollar Project is planning CBDC pilots for the US. How are central bank digital currency efforts and progress different in Asia?
Binance Coin market cap hits new ATH, surpasses $100B
Binance Coin, or BNB, has set another record after posting a new all-time high above $660. The altcoin’s market cap first crossed the $50 billion benchmark in the first few days of April. However, the market cap jumped more than 100% in less than a month. As of this writing, BNB is trading around $661, […]
Digital dollar: Binance CEO warns of CBDC drawbacks
Changpeng Zhao, Binance CEO, has cautioned on the challenges that cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin could face upon the launch of the digital dollar. He made these comments during an interview. Zhao explained that the central bank digital currency (CBDC) would lack properties like “freedom of use” and “limited supply” that make cryptocurrencies unique. He added that […]
DCG to buy $750M in GBTC
Digital Currency Group, the parent company of the digital asset manager Grayscale, has decided to up its purchase of Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) by $500 million. The firm plans to purchase $750 million worth of GBTC shares instead of the initial $250 million. The GBTC has been trading at a premium for some months for […]
Mastercard survey: growing number of consumers eye crypto for shopping
A survey by credit card provider Mastercard shows that a growing number of consumers prefer using cryptocurrency when making their purchases. Mastercard’s New Payments Index polled more than 15,000 online respondents from North America, Latin America, the Asia Pacific region, The Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. The study shows 40% of those polled plan […]
SEC tries to block XRP holders from joining SEC v. Ripple lawsuit
In new court filings, the SEC says allowing XRP holders’ to join SEC v. Ripple lawsuit as third-party defendant would cause delays and ‘sow chaos.’
Argentina looks to crypto shelter amidst inflation turmoil
Struggling Argentines are looking to cryptocurrency for opportunities to stave off rising prices, a devaluing currency and US dollar shortage.
Crypto mining farms under investigation in Beijing
Bitcoin’s energy consumption has been a critical issue among experts, governments, and industry players. Reuters reported that Beijing officials are investigating crypto mining establishments to determine how much energy they consume. On April 27, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information has ordered the city’s data centers to report the amount of power consumed […]
Dogecoin price flies to moon on eToro listing and Elon Musk for rocket fuel
DOGE fans push Dogecoin price to all-time high (ATH) after eToro lists the joke coin for 20 million users, days before ‘Dogefather’ Musk appears on SNL.
XRP prices steady after court hearing, Ripple releases $1.6 billion XRP
XRP is up 600% since the start of the year and its holding steady as Ripple released one billion XRP over the weekend.
Ethereum prices soar over $3,200, making Vitalik Buterin a billionaire
As ETH prices hit a new ATH and continue to the moon, Ethereum’s visionary creator Vitalik Buterin becomes the youngest ever crypto billionaire.
Turkey’s Thodex exchange fraud case yields six new suspects
Turkish authorities arrested six individuals in connection with the Thodex exchange fraud case.
Singapore’s DBS Bank reports US$60 million crypto under custody
DBS Bank says it has over US$60 million in crypto under custody and plans to expand trading hours to 24/7.
Why more big investors are now seeking interest and yields in DeFi
As corporations plow billions into Bitcoin, a new business model involving decentralized finance is emerging for investors, says Alessio Quaglini of Hex Trust.
China’s crypto miners make hard choices to meet climate goals
With Inner Mongolia banning crypto-mining and Xinjiang expected to soon follow, China’s crypto miners are turning to green energy or moving overseas.
Stablecoin rush breaks out; JPM, DBS and Temasek launch Partior | The Daily Forkast
JPMorgan, DBS and Temasek launch Partior to digitize commercial money as stablecoin transaction volume surge in Asia-centric exchanges.
Ripple demands SEC to stop obtaining info on XRP dealings abroad
Ripple asks court to stop SEC from using MOU requests to get info on XRP from overseas regulators and pushes for access to SEC’s internal communications.
How to balance crypto investor protection and innovation in Hong Kong
US and Singapore have licensing laws that give investors more confidence in crypto firms. Stephen Richardson of Fireblocks urges Hong Kong to follow suit.
Japan sees record crypto deposits, nearly 7 times more than last year
Japan’s regulated crypto trading breaks new records in a land known to be the world’s most crypto-averse. Is the tide turning for crypto adoption in Japan?
The NFT revolution is underway, and here’s what our future will look like
More than selling art and basketball mementos in a new way, NFTs can also transform copyright enforcement, royalties, real estate and financial markets.
PancakeSwap and controversial SafeMoon turbo boost BSC past Ethereum
Is Binance Smart Chain’s meteoric rise from PancakeSwap and cryptocurrency SafeMoon sustainable, and is an ‘Ethereum killer’ now finally closer to reality?
World’s largest crypto exchange Binance to launch NFT market in June
Binance, the crypto exchange with more than 50 million users around the world, wants a piece of the fast-growing NFT minting, trading and auction business.
How blockchain technology can improve trust in democratic elections
Loss of faith in elections may be at an all-time high around the world. Here is how blockchain voting and decentralization can restore public trust.
Solana prices surge amid crypto crash as market seeks lower gas fees
Solana blockchain — a rising alternative to Ethereum for DeFi and NFTs — hit an all-time high this week while other cryptocurrencies stagnated. How come?
As Coinbase Pro adds USDT, Tether execs balk at continued scrutiny
Tether’s battle with New York may be resolved for now, but legal obligations have company on the defensive. Is Tether’s USDT regulated or just registered?
SEC sought info on Ripple and XRP from 20 foreign entities, including trading platforms
SEC says info on Ripple and XRP transactions overseas is important to lawsuit. But of the nine foreign regulators the SEC asked, two refused to help.
Taiwan set to roll out new AML regulations for crypto exchanges
Taiwan has enacted anti-money laundering regulations for cryptocurrency exchanges effective July 1. What will this mean for Taiwan’s growing crypto scene?
R3 Corda helping Thailand’s case for international trade dark horse
Thailand’s crypto adoption is often overlooked, but one of its largest commercial banks has been leveraging permissioned blockchain Corda of R3 to digitize trade finance in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
SEC seeks to knock out Ripple defense, says no duty to warn over XRP
In a new legal filing, the SEC asks court to dismiss Ripple’s ‘lack of due process and fair notice’ defense that the XRP token could be deemed a security.
Korean crypto advocates cry foul and demand FSC chair’s resignation
Angered by cryptocurrency tax laws and a government official’s remarks on crypto investing, over 51,000 South Koreans are trying to push back via petitions.
China tightens cryptocurrency oversight with new regulations
Beijing’s new warning against cryptocurrency comes days before regulations aimed at preventing illegal crypto fundraising take effect May 1.
Europe’s CoinShares launches XRP exchange traded product
XRP joins the growing list of cryptocurrencies now available as exchange traded products (ETP). What does this mean for crypto investors?
5 reasons why CBDCs and Facebook-backed Diem go hand-in-hand
When Diem launches and central banks roll out digital currencies, what role will each play? Here is a look at the world’s financial and payments future.