Forkast.News is now Forkast Labs

Fidelity allows retirement investments in Bitcoin

Fidelity, one of the largest providers of 401(k) retirement plans in the U.S., is allowing participants to invest a piece of their retirement portfolio into Bitcoin, provided the employers allow it. See related article: Nexo and Fidelity Digital Assets expand institutional lending services Fast facts Fidelity introduced a digital assets account to hold Bitcoin, integrating […]

Zombie Zoo Keeper, Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen maker team up for PikoZoo NFT

Pikotaro, the Japanese singer-songwriter and creator of the 2016 global sensation Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen (PPAP), is teaming up with famed nine-year-old non-fungible token (NFT) artist Zombie Zoo Keeper to create a unique NFT project. See related article: Japan’s messenger app LINE launches NFT marketplace Fast facts The new music video, named “Zombie Zoo to PIKOTARO DESU,” will […]

Bored Apes Instagram hack nets millions in stolen NFTs

Bored Ape Yacht Club’s (BAYC) official Instagram profile was hacked to promote a fraudulent phishing link to scam millions of dollars worth of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) from victims on Monday.  See related article: Why NFT scams are on the rise — and how to stop them Fast facts OpenSea, the largest NFT marketplace, has banned […]

S.Korean music sharing platform to use NFTs for copyright protection

Koong World has been awarded a South Korean patent that utilizes non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and sound source information to enable artists to upload and share their works on its platform without fear of copyright infringement. See related article: What does Music have to do with NFTs? Fast facts The Korean Intellectual Property Office awarded Koong […]

BlockBar and Monkey Shoulder partner for BAYC exclusive NFTs

BlockBar, a luxury liquor brand non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace, has partnered with whiskey distiller Monkey Shoulder on a range of exclusive collectibles for Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) and BlockBar NFT holders. See related article: Hic Hic Hurray! Scottish distillery Ardbeg to release limited-edition whiskey NFTs Fast facts BlockBar will allow 10 BAYC owners to […]

University of the Philippines Twitter account hacked to promote NFT drop

Non-fungible token (NFT) scammers took control of the University of the Philippines’ official Twitter account on Monday evening, posting several tweets promoting a fake airdrop.  See related article: Twitter hacker takes over verified accounts to promote fake Azuki NFT drop Fast facts The attackers renamed the Twitter account to “takashi murakami” — the name of […]

Chinese streaming service Bilibili enables NFT transfers

Bilibili, a video streaming platform popular with China’s Generation Z, Monday enabled non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to be transferred between users, becoming the second major Chinese tech firm to allow NFT transfers after Alibaba. See related article: China state-backed paper’s NFTs surge in price on second-hand market Fast facts Bilibili requires a 30-day gap between each […]

Indian farmers’ protest NFTs find no takers on OpenSea

Editor’s Note: A previous version of this report stated the NFT proceeds will be donated to NGO Atam Pargas. The NGO has reached out to Forkast to clarify it is not associated with the NFT project. Lekh-Haq, the organizer of the NFT has confirmed this correction to Forkast. Indian journalists and filmmakers launched farmers’ protest […]

NFTs are leveling up gaming and not all about money

NFT in gaming is not only for play-to-earn, writes Nicholas Douzinas of Ajuna Network. It should also be fun and foster human connections.

What is Axie Infinity and how is it ushering in gaming 3.0?

Axie Infinity is a blockchain-based game that rewards players with cryptocurrencies and NFTs. Learn all about how Axie Infinity is creating a play-to-earn revolution in this Forkast explainer.

Twitter accepts Musk’s US$44B bid, sends Dogecoin to crypto top 10

Dogecoin is back in the crypto top 10 after Twitter accepted Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s US$44 billion offer to purchase the social media platform. See related article: Will the dog have its day on Doge Day? Fast facts The world’s leading memecoin reached a high of US$0.1677 before retreating slightly, its highest point since Musk […]

Why tokenized funds are the next frontier in real estate investing

Tokenizing an asset allows its trading to be faster and cheaper, writes Oi-Yee Choo of ADDX. It can also broaden opportunities for small investors.

Indian banks ask for clarity on use of UPI for crypto assets

India’s leading banks have asked the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to issue a formal directive that explains the curbs on money transfers using the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for trading in virtual digital assets. See related article: Coinbase snafu sets the cat among the crypto pigeons in India Fast facts Indian banks had […]

CoinDCX double downs as the going gets tough in India

CoinDCX cofounder Sumit Gupta tells Forkast in an exclusive interview the crypto exchange that recently raised US$135 million will look to triple its headcount by the end of the year.

OCBC Bank joins MVGX in push to help firms go carbon neutral

Singapore’s OCBC Bank has partnered with MetaVerse Green Exchange (MVGX) to develop financial solutions, including tokenized carbon credits, to help large corporations offset their carbon emissions, according to a statement. See related article: Crypto exchange Gemini buys carbon offsets, pledges carbon-neutrality Fast facts The tokenized carbon credits, due to launch later this year, will use […]

Grayscale fancies SEC green light for Bitcoin spot ETF

The cryptocurrency investment firm has stepped up its lobbying efforts with the U.S. regulator following its recent nod to a Bitcoin futures ETF. See related story: SEC comes around on Bitcoin ETFs Fast facts Grayscale’s lawyers have written to the Securities and Exchange Commission saying that its application for a Bitcoin spot exchange-traded fund (ETF) […]

China’s sports brand Li Ning to showcase Bored Ape Yacht Club

Li Ning, a leading Chinese sportswear and equipment company headquartered in Beijing, is set to release a line of clothing featuring images of the Bored Ape Yacht Club #4102, as the brand looks to take advantage of the growing popularity of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). See related article: Chinese Communist Party paper to “develop” NFTs Fast […]

No love for Putin. Binance denies sharing data with Russia

Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, denied sharing client data with Russian authorities, following a Reuters investigation into the exchange’s ties with the country.

Axie Infinity hack proceeds continue to be laundered despite US sanctions

The Lazarus Group, the North Korean hacking group linked to the US$600 million Axie Infinity hack in March, is still laundering funds stolen from the hack despite sanctions imposed by the U.S.  See related article: Axie Infinity blockchain Ronin hacked for over $600M Fast facts Despite U.S. sanctions, North Korean hackers have been freely laundering […]

Cryptocurrency investors in South Korea catch a break on ‘Travel Rule’

A month after South Korea adopted the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) travel rule, two solution providers VerifyVASP and CODE have linked their services on Monday to allow seamless access to exchanges for investors. See related article: DeFi, NFT access at stake as FATF travel rule takes effect in South Korea Fast facts The FATF […]

Hangzhou races to showcase digital yuan at Asian Games

Preparing to show off the capabilities of the digital yuan at the Asia Games is a priority from April to August, despite high possibilities of a delay in the event itself. See related article: Asian Games set for digital yuan, metaverse pilots, tech firm claims Fast facts China wants to showcase the digital yuan at […]

A marathon not a sprint: How the US can win the digital asset race

Joe Biden’s executive order on crypto has put America on course for solid success in the digital asset space, says the Blockchain Association’s Kristin Smith.

A fast one from down under: Australia approves BTC, ETH ETFs

While the cryptocurrency industry continues to wait with bated breath for a spot-traded Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) to be approved in the U.S., three separate crypto funds were given the green light in Australia this week.  Australia’s ETFS Management (AUS) Ltd., or ETF Securities, launched a Bitcoin and an Ethereum fund, in partnership with Switzerland-based […]

Be kind, rewind! South Korea’s Cyworld is back in Web 3.0 avatar

Time to dust off your Dotori. The social media platform that once reigned in South Korea is trying to make a grand comeback with in-game crypto, NFTs and the metaverse.

Hong Kong’s subway operator plans virtual station in metaverse

Hong Kong rail operator MTR Corporation announced Thursday that it will partner with The Sandbox on a metaverse project to build a subway-themed virtual world theme park. See related article: Sandcastles in cyberspace and the rise of the metaverse Fast facts The rail operator said it will partner with The Sandbox, a subsidiary of Animoca […]

Pudgy Penguins’ NFT sales surge 500% on mystery map

Sales volume of the popular non-fungible token (NFT) series shot up about 519% in the past 24 hours, according to CryptoSlam data, after Pudgy Penguins teased an Antarctic map that resembles a gaming metaverse. See related article: New owner gives Pudgy Penguins NFTs happy feet Fast facts Penguin fans speculate the project is hinting at […]

Binance hires former British regulator for compliance role

The world’s biggest cryptocurrency exchange hired former Financial Conduct Authority official Steven McWhirter as a director of regulatory policy to better manage its compliance function.  See related story: Binance wants to play ball with regulators Fast facts McWhirter will lead the global regulatory policy team for Binance and brings over 20 years of experience in […]

South Korea approves fifth cash-to-crypto exchange

South Korea’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) Thursday said it approved GOPAX as the country’s fifth digital asset exchange to provide cash-to-crypto services. See related article: South Korea’s crypto crackdown: What you need to know Fast facts Cash-to-crypto services on GOPAX starts Apr. 28. Last September, South Korea mandated strict licensing requirements for crypto exchanges to […]

Why blockchain is the cornerstone of investing in our planet

Can blockchain embody the values of Earth Day? Consider its growing role in ESG and the energy-efficiency of newer crypto, writes Eddie Hui of MVGX.

Experts cut Bitcoin’s 2022 price outlook to slightly less bullish: report

A panel of 35 crypto professionals have grown collectively less confident on the year-end target price for Bitcoin, although they expect the dominant cryptocurrency to end significantly higher than current levels and even set a new all-time high, according to a report by Finder. See related article: Bitcoin crosses $47,000 mark as crypto surges in […]

Coinbase’s NFT market enters beta for select customers

Coinbase’s non-fungible token (NFT) platform launched its beta version for select customers on Wednesday. See related article: Coinbase and Binance move to diversify; Stablecoins under scrutiny Fast facts Only a few customers of the three million on the waitlist can access the beta market, but it is also open for public view. The beta platform […]

Shiba Inu, Dogecoin payments accepted by Porsche Baltimore dealership

A Porsche dealership in Baltimore, Maryland, has begun accepting mainstream crypto payments for vehicles, along with DOGE and Shiba Inu, according to a Tweet by U.S.-based crypto payment service provider BitPay. See related article: Lamborghini’s last all-gas Aventador to be auctioned with NFT Fast facts See related article: Hic Hic Hurray! Scottish distillery Ardbeg to […]

Binance.US pulls out of Blockchain Association, sets up own influence lobby

Binance.US, the American crypto exchange set up by Binance cofounder Changpeng Zhao, will exit lobby group Blockchain Association and allocate resources to its own lobbying workforce in Washington, D.C. and state capitals, according to a media report.   See related article: Binance.US wins license in Puerto Rico to fuel growth Fast facts Binance.US is establishing its […]

Caught between a rock and a hard place, Singapore tightens crypto oversight

A desire to stay in line with global anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism norms is forcing the city state’s hand when it comes to regulating cryptocurrency exchanges.

Ashton Kutcher, Mark Cuban-backed startup sells autographs as NFTs

Ink, the Ashton Kutcher and Mark Cuban-backed Web 3.0 platform that allows artists and creators to sign, draw or write on any form of digital content into non-fungible tokens (NFTs), launched Wednesday. See related article: Warner Music is ready to play in The Sandbox metaverse Fast facts By digitally signing any existing photo, album cover, […]

Russian crypto miner Bitriver added to US sanctions list

The U.S. sanctioned Russian cryptocurrency miner Bitriver and its 10 subsidiaries on Wednesday, in an attempt to further isolate Russia from the global economy for invading Ukraine.  See related article: Russia proposes Bitcoin payments for oil and energy exports Fast facts “Russia has a comparative advantage in crypto mining due to energy resources and a […]

Monkey eats dog, ApeCoin shines on Dogecoin’s big day

The Dogecoin community hoping for a price rally was disappointed on “Doge Day” as ApeCoin stole the spotlight with a 30% climb. See related article: Will the dog have its day on Doge Day? Fast facts DOGE investors were hoping to recreate last year’s success when DOGE rallied over 500% in the days leading to […]

World Bank rescue package throws lifeline to crypto markets

Top blockchain and crypto news: Crisis response brings crypto relief. North Korea’s Lazarus Group named in Ronin hack. NFTs face new risks in China.

Will the dog have its day on Doge Day?

Holders of the world’s leading memecoin are hoping for a repeat of 2021 where a community effort helped propel the token’s price into the stratosphere. But one industry watcher says the market is a very different place now.

Alibaba extends NFT reach with its food delivery arm

Alibaba-owned Ele.me announced the launch of its first non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on Tuesday with the Hangzhou Cuisine Museum, featuring traditional Hangzhou dish cod meatballs. See related article: Chinese tech giant Huawei debuts NFTs Fast facts See related article: China’s largest broadcaster’s NFT series becomes a trilogy

Robinhood to acquire UK crypto app Ziglu in Europe expansion

Robinhood announced Tuesday it will purchase London-based crypto firm Ziglu as part of the trading platform’s global expansion. See related article: SHIB price pumps on Robinhood listing with SOL, MATIC, COMP Fast facts U.K.-based users of Robinhood can access 11 cryptocurrencies with Ziglu, earn yield, pay with debit cards, and send crypto across borders.  Robinhood […]

S.Korea eyes restraints on crypto unicorn Dunamu over monopoly concerns

The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) is reportedly planning to designate local crypto exchange Upbit owner Dunamu as an enterprise subject to limitations on mutual investment, which would add more regulations to the entity. See related article: Two crypto exchanges reach unicorn status in South Korea Fast facts A company with total assets over 10 […]

India’s WazirX cofounders move to Dubai

Cofounders of the Binance-backed Indian crypto exchange WazirX have reportedly moved to Dubai amid regulatory uncertainty and taxation, local media report. See related article: India’s crypto tax will incur losses for government, says WazirX CEO Fast facts Nischal Shetty and Siddharth Menon have reportedly moved to Dubai along with their families.  “Crypto has no boundaries,” […]

Why blockchain bridges have become DeFi’s Achilles heel

In the short history of DeFi, bridge hacks have accounted for an enormous amount of stolen funds, writes Joshua Tobkin. What can stop these attacks?

Binance.US wins license in Puerto Rico to fuel growth

Binance.US has obtained a money transmitter license in Puerto Rico, as the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange continues to expand globally while seeking to become more mindful of compliance. See related article: Binance.US valued at $4.5B following first seed round Fast facts Binance.US CEO Brian Shroder on Tuesday said that Puerto Rico is an important market […]

Bitcoin and Ethereum spot ETFs landing in Australia next week

Australia’s mass retail appetite for cryptocurrency is about to be tested as two Bitcoin and one Ethereum spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have been approved for listing. See related article: New Australian ETF grants exposure to Bitcoin mining sector Fast facts All three ETFs are set to go live on Cboe (formally Chi-X) Exchange on April […]

KuCoin launches $100 mln fund for NFT projects

Crypto trading platform KuCoin, through its venture capital arm KuCoin Ventures and KuCoin NFT marketplace — Windvane — is introducing a US$100 million “creators fund,” the company said in a statement. See related article: How Southeast Asia’s NFT ecosystem lifts up local artists Fast facts The fund will support and incubate early stage non-fungible token […]

Axie Infinity’s latest fix to tokenomics has players up in arms 

An attempt to assuage Axie Infinity players miffed by falling earnings isn’t turning out too well for developer Sky Mavis, Forkast learns, as loyalists bemoan it may be too little, too late.

India’s crypto shakedown be damned, CoinDCX raises $135 million

Indian cryptocurrency exchange CoinDCX’s latest funding comes as investors double down on the country’s potential to emerge as the world’s top market despite government apathy.  See related story: CoinDCX’s Sumit Gupta on CBDCs, regulation and India’s potential for crypto in 2021 Fast facts Series D funding was led by Pantera and Steadview Capital, the company […]

Hyundai Motor drives into metaverse branding with Meta Kongz NFT project

Hyundai Motor plans to support its own non-fungible token (NFT) community with an initial token release in collaboration with Meta Kongz this week, and a dedicated NFT website to launch in May. See related article: 20,000 line up for South Korean convenience store’s NFTs on White Day Fast facts Hyundai Motor, South Korea’s leading automobile […]

China’s largest broadcaster’s NFT series becomes a trilogy

State-owned broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) ‘s online branch will launch a new NFT series on Thursday to celebrate the seventh China Space Day.  See related article: China’s industry lobbies join NFT bashing chorus Fast facts CCTV’s first NFT collection was issued for free during Chinese New Year on Tencent’s blockchain. The second batch was […]

Binance closer to Thai business as Gulf Energy greenlights joint venture

Binance has entered into a joint venture agreement in collaboration with billionaire Sarath Ratanavadi’s Gulf Energy Development to set up a crypto exchange in Thailand. See related article: Binance wins Abu Dhabi nod for another MENA outpost Fast facts Once the joint venture is established, it will apply for a digital asset exchange license with […]

North Korea behind Ronin hack: US

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of the Treasury allege North Korea’s Lazarus Group and APT38 were responsible for stealing cryptocurrencies worth about US$620 million off the Ethereum sidechain Ronin. See related article: Axie Infinity blockchain Ronin hacked for over $600M Fast facts The hack was perpetrated by the Democratic People’s […]

Andre Cronje: Crypto needs regulation

Andre Cronje, former Fantom Foundation technical adviser and Yearn.finance founder, resurfaced Monday after announcing his departure last month.  See related article: DeFi wizard Cronje’s departure sends TVL sinking  Fast facts In a “Crypto is dead. Long live Crypto” post, Cronje says regulations will protect cryptocurrencies. “It’s like a child trying to stick their finger into […]

Is there a future for the NFT beyond digital art?

NFT technology became famous for $69 million digital art, but what will change the world are its myriad practical uses, writes Jan Hartmann of Banxa Labs.

Terra Luna headlines crypto’s Easter resurrection, STEPN peaks

The cryptocurrency market returned strong from the Easter holidays with Terra LUNA leading major coins with an 18.5% rebound to trade at US$91.43, on Tuesday morning Asia time. See related article: Is Terra — whose LUNA coin is now at another all-time high — really where the smart money is? Fast facts Terra reached its […]

Blockchain, metaverse important for India’s growth: MP

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are going to be increasingly important with the rise in time spent on metaverses, Jayant Sinha, a member of parliament and Chairman of India’s Standing Committee on Finance, told The Economic Times on Monday.  See related article: India to make life hell for crypto investors: MP Fast facts Sinha’s comments come at […]

Former Chinese central bank chief says digital yuan is for retail transactions

Zhou Xiaochuan, the former governor of the People’s Bank of China, said in a speech on Saturday that the digital yuan is designed to focus on transactions for people and merchants and not to replace SWIFT or weaponize the currency. See related article: The digital yuan’s de-dollarization Fast facts See related article: Hong Kong makes […]

China launches metaverse lab

Top-rated Tsinghua University Friday established China’s first metaverse culture laboratory to promote the study and development of the country’s growing metaverse space. See related article:  China will soon have its first bachelor’s program in blockchain. Why isn’t the talent-starved industry more excited? Fast facts The new laboratory will be used for research in the future […]

Xiamen issues China’s first blockchain-based commemorative subway ticket

Xiamen, a major city in China’s southeastern province Fujian, Friday issued China’s first batch of digital commemorative subway tickets based on Alibaba’s blockchain, AntChain. See related article: More courts in China accept blockchain-stored evidence Fast facts The digital ticket bears a likeness to a decorative metal badge,  and is themed with a combination of Xiamen […]

Bitcoin mining difficulty drops amid market turmoil

Bitcoin miners saw a 1.26% drop in mining difficulty on Thursday, the third time this year, while the price fell to less than US$40,000. See related article: Cryptos slump over inflation, Shanghai lockdown and war concerns Fast facts The mining difficulty level is now at 28.23 trillion at block height 731,808, after it saw an […]

India’s crypto exchanges switch to P2P, bank transfers

Crypto exchanges in India are switching to facilitating user-to-user bank transfers and inward remittances to work around a withdrawal of support from the developer of the country’s ubiquitous UPI payments system, local media report.   See related article: Coinbase snafu sets the cat among the crypto pigeons in India Fast facts Indian cryptocurrency exchanges are trying […]

Chinese state media calls for wider e-CNY adoption

Xinhua News Agency’s affiliate newspaper, Economic Information Daily, Thursday published an op ed suggesting measures for the further adoption of the digital yuan. See related article: The digital yuan’s de-dollarization Fast facts See related article:Hong Kong makes apt testbed for e-CNY cross-border use

Chinese Communist Party paper to “develop” NFTs

The online arm of People’s Daily said it will cooperate with state-owned enterprise China Arts and Entertainment Group to develop non-fungible tokens (NFTs) themed on Chinese traditional and modern paintings. See related article: Resist the temptation on NFTs, Chinese state-backed developer says Fast facts Announcement from the official newspaper of the Central Committee of the […]

Circle raises $400 mln, teams up with BlackRock to develop USDC

Circle, the issuer of the world’s second-largest stablecoin USDC, has raised US$400 million in its latest funding round with major investments from BlackRock and Fidelity Management and Research, as the stablecoin issuer looks to explore possibilities with the traditional financial world. See related article: Circle’s growth outpaces Tether as it doubles valuation Fast facts Circle […]

Stablecoins gain amid stormy crypto market in Q1: CoinGecko

The stablecoin market cap grew by US$23 billion in an otherwise lackluster market for crypto assets, according to a quarterly report by CoinGecko. See related article: Bitcoin follows blue chips south amid market turmoil Fast facts Stablecoins were among the biggest beneficiaries from investor “derisking” into stablecoins, CoinGecko said in its report, with USDT remaining […]

Resist the temptation on NFTs, Chinese state-backed developer says

In an exclusive interview with Forkast, the head of government-founded Blockchain-based Service Network (BSN) cautioned against packaging NFTs as investment products despite the temptation to profit off the euphoria.

Japan’s messenger app LINE launches NFT marketplace

LINE, Japan’s dominant mobile chatting app, on Wednesday officially launched its non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace LINE NFT through its Osaka-based blockchain subsidiary LVC. See related article: Asia Primed For NFT Growth Fast facts Users can purchase and trade NFTs on the platform and store them on the LINE BITMAX Wallet, which can be accessed via […]

China museum chief fences cultural relics from NFTs

China’s top government agency that oversees the development of museums has called on cultural institutions to hit the brakes when it comes to non-fungible tokens (NFTs).  See related article: China’s industry lobbies join NFT bashing chorus Fast facts The National Cultural Heritage Administration Tuesday held a nationwide online symposium in Beijing on digital collectibles and […]

How the metaverse is closing the gap between virtual and reality

The metaverse promises to radically change how we work, play and do business. How do we avoid its real-world security risks and pitfalls?

Hic Hic Hurray! Scottish distillery Ardbeg to release limited-edition whiskey NFTs

The Scottish distillery Thursday announced a limited edition buried-brewed whiskey Ardbeg Fon Fhòid (Gaelic for “under the turf”) will be released along with a non-fungible token (NFT).  See related article: Lamborghini’s last all-gas Aventador to be auctioned with NFT Fast facts Ardbeg Fon Fhòid’s limited release of 456 bottles will be available for purchase on […]

OpenSea sales volume drops as challengers boast user rewards

OpenSea sales volume dropped by 67% over the past 30 days, according to DappRadar, as newer platforms offer rewards to lure users away from the leading non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace. See related article: NFT buyers dip for a second straight month Fast facts Sales volume on OpenSea totaled US$2.64 billion in the past 30 days, […]