Crypto.com, messaging app Line to collaborate on crypto solutions in Asia
Cryptocurrency exchange Crypto.com and Line Xenesis — the crypto asset and blockchain-related business developer of Japanese messenger app Line — have signed a memorandum of understanding to boost crypto innovation in Asia-Pacific and the global industry. See related article: Singapore-based Crypto.com gets preparatory license to expand services in Dubai Fast facts
South Korea crypto lender Delio says operations in peril amid prosecutor raids, lawsuit
Delio halted interest payments for all users on Monday, after announcing difficulties in providing services as usual.
Why Asia will emerge as the global hub for Web3 gaming: Opinion
Already home to most of the world’s gamers, Asia has a rich pedigree in seeding and embracing new technologies, writes Robbie Ferguson of Immutable.
SEC hints at appeal of Ripple decision in court filing against Terraform Labs
The SEC has hinted it may be set to appeal a recent court ruling against the agency in its case against Ripple Labs and the XRP token.
Bitcoin reclaims US$30,000, Ether gains, Cardano leads winners as top 10 crypto rise
Bitcoin rose on Monday morning in Asia to reclaim the US$30,000 support level. Ether moved higher, while most other top 10 non-stablecoin tokens also gained.
Bitcoin, Ether trade flat as buzz around Bitcoin ETFs and Ripple court ruling fades
Bitcoin edged higher on Thursday morning, along with most other top 10 cryptocurrencies, but the token looks to have lost support at the US$30,000 line.
Manta Network developer p0x Labs raises US$25 million for Asia expansion
P0x Labs, the developer behind layer-1 zero-knowledge blockchain Manta Network, has secured US$25 million for the Network’s expansion in Asia.
Bitcoin loses grip on US$30,000 as profit-taking kicks in; XRP gains as other top 10 crypto fall
Bitcoin slipped under US$30,000 on the back of profit-taking and long liquidations as the recent run up on optimism about exchange-traded funds seemed to run out of steam.
S. Korea’s Shinhan Bank, SCB TechX, complete second stablecoin trial on Hedera
Shinhan Bank, the second largest bank in South Korea, and SCB TechX, the technology unit of Siam Commercial Bank, the oldest bank in Thailand, announced on Tuesday that they completed a second stablecoin transaction trial on the Hedera, a public distributed ledger network.
Stablecoins can make banking safe again: Opinion
Stablecoins play a pivotal role as a safe-haven medium of exchange in times of high inflation, writes James Glasscock. But they’re not without risks.
How Asia is emerging as a safe haven for digital assets: Opinion
As the US is engulfed in regulatory strife, Asian countries are rolling out legal frameworks that attract crypto investment, protect consumers and encourage innovation.
USDT’s goal is to be the dollar, not beat it, says Tether CTO
Scrutiny on the stablecoin’s reserves has intensified since USDT’s latest depegging scare. Paolo Ardoino, CTO of Tether and Bitfinex, delves into the composition of USDT reserves, explaining how the firm ensures dollar redemptions, irrespective of secondary market prices.
US court rules in favor of XRP in Ripple Labs case against SEC, with caveats
Judge Analisa Torres ruled on Thursday that Ripple Labs’ programmatic sales of the XRP cryptocurrency did not qualify as the offer and sale of investment contracts.
USDC issuer Circle trims workforce
Stablecoin issuer Circle has reduced its workforce and investment in non-core activities.
South Korea mandates new accounting rules for domestic crypto sector
South Korea’s FSC is requiring companies that issue or own cryptocurrencies to provide detailed crypto disclosures from 2024.
Global crypto industry worth US$180 billion, says K33 Research report
The global cryptocurrency industry is valued at US$180 billion, with over 10,000 companies employing a total of 190,000 employees, according to a July 5 report from crypto intelligence firm K33 Research. See related article: Singapore, Thailand clarify crypto rules; NFTs become new cultural frontier Fast facts See related article: South Korea, Singapore, Thailand clarify crypto […]
Despite the regulatory darkness in America, crypto’s dawn is nigh: Opinion
Crypto’s current turmoil in the US stands in stark contrast to other jurisdictions that are paving paths to for the industry to shine, writes Sean O’Connor.
Bitcoin stays above US$30,000; ETF optimism dampens; further rate hikes expected
Bitcoin dipped on Monday morning in Asia but held above the US$30,000 support level. Ether edged lower along with most other top 10 non-stablecoin tokens.
Tokenization makes the world a better place, and Asia is paving the way: Opinion
Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Thailand have regulations supporting the growth of tokenization, showing the world the benefits of fractionalizing assets.
Global shifts in crypto capital are underway. Here’s where the money is going
Digital assets funds have been flowing in waves all over the world since crypto’s inception, writes Amy Yu, CEO of SEBA Bank. Where is crypto capital going now?
Hong Kong launches task force to promote blockchain initiatives, developments
Hong Kong’s local government on Friday set up the Task Force on Promoting Web3 Development to promote the benefits of blockchain to real-world industries.
U.K. bill to regulate crypto assets passes into law, offering ‘rocket boost’ for economy
A U.K. bill to recognize cryptocurrency trading as a regulated financial activity passed into law on Thursday.
Crypto gets a boost following reports of Fidelity’s imminent Bitcoin spot ETF filing
Top blockchain and crypto news: Fidelity Investment is reportedly close to filing its own Bitcoin ETF. NFT traders seek liquidity. Singapore eyes asset tokenization.
Bitcoin remains above US$30,000, despite hawkish remarks from Powell
Bitcoin and Ether rose during Thursday afternoon trading in Hong Kong, while the top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies by market capitalization were mixed.
Bitcoin, all other top 10 cryptos lose ground; Azuki Elementals NFT disappoints investors
Bitcoin dropped but remained above US$30,000, with all other major cryptocurrencies falling, as investors reacted to news of MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin purchase and ARK Invest’s spot Bitcoin ETF plan.
Crypto in the land of geisha — the global Web3 community arrives in Kyoto
Geisha, kimono, tea ceremony — the Japanese city of Kyoto is a place rich in traditional culture. But as the national government pivots toward the cutting edge potential of digital assets and Web3, the city is this week playing host to one of Asia’s largest crypto get-togethers.
Why Asia’s Web3 ecosystem needs collaborative venture building: Opinion
Collaborative venture building involves pooling resources, expertise and ideas — a strategy ideal for Web3 startups to succeed, writes Katherine Ng.
Bitcoin holds above US$30,000, most other top 10 cryptos mixed
Bitcoin slipped 0.04% but remained above US$30,000. Ether fell 0.97% to US$1,875.
OKX crypto exchange to be operational in Dubai within the year, says executive
Seychelles-registered cryptocurrency exchange OKX, which says it is the world’s second-largest crypto platform by trading volume, opened an office in Dubai on June 15 as part of its global expansion and aims to raise staff numbers to 30 to tap opportunities in the region.
Wall Street-backed crypto exchange a sign of lingering interest despite SEC’s crackdown
Top blockchain and crypto news: Wall Street backs new crypto exchange. NFT traders remain cautious. Alibaba’s incoming chairman is a crypto fan.
Bitcoin breaches US$30,000 on institutional interest; Ether, other tokens follow higher
Bitcoin breached US$30,000 in Thursday morning trading in Asia, leading gains across all top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.
Crypto firms eye Hong Kong amid tough US regulations, says fintech association chair
Amid growing regulatory scrutiny in the U.S., crypto firms eye Hong kong for its strategic location and friendly regulations, yet Singapore and Dubai remain strong competitors, says FinTech Association of Hong Kong’s Neil Tan.
Independent Reserve plans Hong Kong office, explores further Southeast Asia expansions
Independent Reserve may have a new Hong Kong office in the “next few months,” the Singapore chief of the Australian crypto exchange said in an exclusive interview. Focusing on institutional clientele, the exchange aims to double trade volumes and expand its user base this year.
Crypto in the time of cockroaches
An account of a holiday from hell draws parallel to the dark world of cybercrime and how anyone can fall victim to sophisticated crypto thefts.
Weekly Market Wrap: Crypto lawsuits, Hinman and a rare rate hike pause
Bitcoin dipped below US$25,000 for the first time in three months, as the SEC’s lawsuits continued to erode crypto investor appetite. Bitcoin needs to hold above US$24,000 to avoid more bearish momentum, industry experts told Forkast.
Asia lays out a welcome mat for crypto, while US bars its door
As the US escalates its crackdowns on digital asset companies, it’s also losing its dominance in crypto — to Asia’s advantage, writes Henry Liu of BTSE.
Bitcoin edges up after slump, Ether little-changed, other top 10 tokens continue bumpy ride
Bitcoin edges up but still stuck below US$26,000. Ether was little changed amid a weekly fall, while other top 10 crypto were mixed.
SEC lawsuit sees Binance.US wobble, trading platforms delist cryptos
Top blockchain and crypto news: Binance.US at risk. Ex-SEC official’s comments complicate Ripple suit. Hong Kong lawmaker aims to entice exchanges.
Bitcoin below US$25,000; all top 10 cryptos fall
Bitcoin and Ether extended losses in Thursday afternoon trade in Asia amid U.S. regulator’s clampdown on top crypto exchanges.
Hong Kong Monetary Authority urges banks to service crypto firms: Financial Times
HKMA is urging lenders including HSBC, Standard Chartered and Bank of China to service crypto exchanges. Financial Times reported on Thursday.
Chicken first, egg later — Japan’s need for a macroscopic view of the metaverse
After a slow start, Japan’s development of a domestic metaverse is gaining pace. This second account in a three-part series asks: can the nation compete with rivals China and South Korea in building a 3D virtual world that – according to the promises – would open up new realms of economic prosperity and even potentially ease nagging social problems?
Bitcoin rises above US$26,000; all other top 10 cryptos gain as U.S. regulatory battle rumbles on
All top 10 cryptos, including Binance’s BNB, gained on Tuesday afternoon trade in Asia for the first time this week amid ongoing lawsuits with the U.S. SEC.
The SEC has spoken: The future of finance is not in America
The SEC’s one-two punch of Coinbase and Binance couldn’t have come at a better time for Hong Kong and Singapore, as US crypto firms look to shift to friendlier shores, writes Hamilton Keats of Krayon Digital.
The grand experiment in crypto compliance: What will the future look like?
From US crackdowns on Binance and Coinbase to new business-friendlier frameworks in Hong Kong and Europe, seismic shifts in crypto regulations are under way.
Why the US is waging war on Binance, Coinbase
Top blockchain and crypto news: Binance, Coinbase in SEC firing line. Solana NFTs slump as Bitcoin’s surge. New dawn in Hong Kong crypto regulations.
U.S. court orders SEC to respond to Coinbase’s rulemaking petition
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been ordered on Tuesday by the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit to respond to cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase’s pending petition for rulemaking within seven days.
Bitcoin, Ether most other top crypto bounce back even as Coinbase joins Binance as SEC lawsuit target
Nearly all top 10 tokens rebounded as investors look beyond U.S. regulator’s lawsuits against two of the world’s most influential crypto exchanges.
SEC sues Coinbase for violating securities rules a day after Binance lawsuit
The U.S. SEC sued Coinbase, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the U.S., for allegedly breaching securities rules, less than 24 hours after the regulator sued Binance on similar charges.
Crypto industry reacts to SEC’s lawsuit against Binance
The SEC sued Binance on Monday, amid mounting regulatory scrutiny of crypto exchanges. Industry experts shared insights on what this could mean for Binance and how it could drive crypto innovation out of the U.S.
JPMorgan teams up with Indian banks for blockchain-based settlements: Bloomberg
JPMorgan has reportedly launched a pilot project with top private lenders in India for interbank dollar transaction settlements through its blockchain platform, Onyx.
Hong Kong Web3 industry forms new associations to push crypto hub ambition
Leaders in Hong Kong’s Web3 industry announced the formation of two new associations, Hong Kong Licensed Virtual Assets Association (HKLVAA) and Web3 Harbour, on Monday.
Warren Buffet-backed Nubank, Visa, Mastercard to join Brazil’s CBDC pilot
Banco Central do Brasil, the central bank of Brazil, has selected 14 institutions to participate in the pilot run of the country’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) named Real Digital.
AI-themed cryptos rise; NFT lenders duke it out; US debt talks continue
Surge of interest in AI chipmaker Nvidia extends to crypto, Binance and Blur vie for top NFT lender spot, while uncertainty abounds over U.S. debt talks.
In battle to be Asia’s crypto hub, which city will emerge victorious?
Top blockchain and crypto news: Asia’s crypto hub race. Is US debt ceiling fight a boon or a bane for crypto? China’s red carpet for metaverse investment.
Hong Kong is world’s most crypto-ready jurisdiction, new study claims
Hong Kong is the most crypto-ready jurisdiction in the world, based on the number of blockchain startups per 100,000 people and the number of crypto ATMs proportional to the population, according to a new study by forex education platform Forex Suggest.
Hong Kong’s new crypto rules covered by China state TV in rare move from Beijing
Analysts say the move could signal a bull run in cryptocurrencies.
Bitcoin drops below US$27,000, Dogecoin biggest loser
Bitcoin dropped 2.33% to US$26,671. Ether lost 2.15% but traded above US$1,800.
Bitget crypto exchange registers in Poland
Seychelles-headquartered cryptocurrency exchange Bitget announced on Tuesday that it successfully registered as a virtual asset service provider in Poland.
Hong Kong to open crypto to retail traders, plans guardrails
Hong Kong will allow licensed cryptocurrency trading platforms to offer services to retail investors and will implement a slew of measures to protect individual traders, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) said on Tuesday.
All top 10 cryptos rise; Hotbit crypto exchange shuts down; U.S. stock futures drop
Bitcoin gained 1.71% and Ether climbed 2.35%. Polygon gained the most in 24 hours followed by Tron.
Malaysian regulator orders Huobi crypto exchange to cease local operations
The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC), the capital markets regulator, has charged cryptocurrency exchange Huobi Global and its chief executive officer Leon Li for operating a digital asset exchange (DAX) without registration.
Are deposit tokens the new stablecoins — or a wolf in sheep’s clothing?
Stablecoins are a key part of the crypto ecosystem, but banks like JPMorgan are now exploring deposit tokens as an alternative. Which is better, and why?
Circle: US regulation can help create the ‘most stable stablecoin’
Circle Vice President of Global Policy Corey Then says he is optimistic that U.S. regulatory developments can eventually benefit local players despite ongoing scrutiny.
Bitcoin, Ether fall; Tron trades higher; Investors digest G7, U.S. debt ceiling implications
Bitcoin fell below US$27,000 on Sunday, dipping further Monday morning in Asia as wider macro developments continue to weigh.
Hong Kong’s e-HKD pilot puts the world on notice
Rollout of the central bank digital currency in Hong Kong is a potential game-changer and a move that others may soon look to follow.
Philippine telco giant partners BlockchainSpace for Web3 creator platform
Smart Communications, one of the Philippines’ largest telcos, is entering the Web3 space through a partnership with Web3 community enabler in Southeast Asia, BlockchainSpace.
Web3 needs to engage with local communities. Its future depends on it
Web3’s terrible user experience, scams and lack of diversity could be solved if its leaders take a cue from environmentalists and ‘act locally,’ writes Tim Williamson of NieuxCo.
Looking to expand Web3 activities into Japan? Watch the biggest firms for clues, says gaming protocol founder.
While the community might be small, there’s a growing buzz around Web3 in Japan, with overseas companies now taking note. For clues on how to make it big in the land of the rising sun, follow the lead of the nation’s largest firms, says Sebastien Guillemot, co-founder of Paima Studios.
Japan government’s crypto czar touts nation’s Web3 capabilities
Japan was an early believer in blockchain and cryptocurrencies until exchange hacks brought a crackdown. But that was then. Now the government has become a crypto cheerleader.
Bitcoin network buckles under weight of BRC-20’s runaway success
Top blockchain and crypto news: Memecoin fever strains BTC network. Binance slams brakes on Bitcoin withdrawals. Chinese court allows crypto for repaying debt.
Hong Kong will have ‘tight’ crypto regulation, says HKMA chief Eddie Yue
Cryptocurrency firms moving to Hong Kong should expect tight regulations as part of the city-state’s new regulatory regime, said Eddie Yue.
South Korea freezes US$176 mln of Terraform CEO Do Kwon’s domestic assets
A South Korean court has approved prosecutors’ request to freeze assets and properties worth 233.3 billion Korean won that belong to Kwon.