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FTX gets green light to sell US$3.4 billion in crypto assets

A U.S. bankruptcy court in Delaware approved failed crypto exchange FTX’s motion to sell its crypto assets at a court hearing on Wednesday.

Bitcoin back above US$26,000 after CPI release

Bitcoin rose on Thursday morning in Asia to trade above US$26,000. Ether also rose to reclaim US$1,600. All other top 10 non-stablecoin tokens moved up.

Toncoin gains 13% on Telegram partnership; Bitcoin, Ether little changed 

Toncoin led gainers in the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, rising over 13% after the project announced its partnership with Telegram. Bitcoin and Ether were little changed during afternoon trading in Asia, but market analysts are looking at September as a period for strategic Bitcoin accumulation. See related article: Weekly Market Wrap: ETF developments […]

Astar, Polygon joins power to launch zkEVM solution for wider Web3 adoption

Japan-based Astar Network announced Wednesday that it is launching its zkEVM solution powered by Polygon’s Chain Developer Kit.

Hong Kong crypto exchange CoinEx suffers hack, at least US$43 million lost

Hong Kong-based cryptocurrency exchange CoinEx Global suffered a security breach on Tuesday, resulting in an estimated loss of US$43 million in cryptocurrencies.

Zero-knowledge technology is ready. Why isn’t it more widely used?

ZK is a complex but game-changing cryptographic technique for blockchain scalability and privacy. Here’s how the industry can make it more accessible.

Binance.US cuts one-third of workforce; CEO Brian Shroder steps down

The U.S. affiliate of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange Binance has laid off one-third of its staff, or more than 100 employees.

Bitcoin, Ether bounce back; altcoins recover after FTX panic

Bitcoin rose on Wednesday morning in Asia to near US$26,000. Ether also bounced back to near US$1,600. All other top 10 non-stablecoin tokens logged gains.

Bitcoin collectibles: a diamond in the rough

Bitcoin’s NFT sales dip mirrors early challenges of Ethereum; is the pioneer blockchain set for a comeback in the collectibles market?

Bitcoin, Ether continue to slide; altcoins under pressure

Bitcoin remained under US$26,000 and Ether dropped below US$1,600 in Tuesday afternoon trade in Asia.

Nepal central bank plans CBDC within two years, crypto and stablecoin still excluded, says spokesperson

It has been more than a year since Nepal’s central bank, the Nepal Rastra Bank, initiated amendments to the law to enable the issuance of the digital version of the Nepalese rupee. What is the status of its CBDC?

Standard Chartered’s crypto custody arm Zodia launches in Singapore

Zodia Custody owned by Standard Chartered, announced Tuesday that it is launching its services in Singapore for financial institutions.

Why DAOs are choking on majority rule and failing their democratic ideals

To solve DAOs’ people problems with mismanagement and bad actors, they need to lean into automation — and take more matters out of human hands.

Gaming blockchain Oasys partners Japan telco KDDI’s αU Wallet, αU Market in Web3 push

Oasys, a blockchain-based game development platform, will team up with non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace αU market and cryptocurrency wallet αU Wallet – a crypto wallet by KDDI, one of Japan’s top three telecom companies – for users to trade NFTs on the αU market. See related article: Weekly Market Wrap: ETF developments bolsters Bitcoin above […]

Bitcoin, Ether lose key support levels; altcoins slide amid FTX liquidation woes

Bitcoin fell on Tuesday morning in Asia to hover above US$25,000 after briefly losing the key support level. Ether also slid to lose control of US$1,600.

Bitcoin, Ether extend losses; G20 eyes global crypto regulation

Bitcoin started the week below US$26,000 while Ether dropped to US$1,611. Toncoin and XRP lead losers in the last 24 hours.

Animoca Brands raises US$20 million to boost Mocaverse

Animoca Brands announced Monday that it has raised US$20 million to accelerate the development of Mocaverse, its flagship project.

Advice for Web3 projects: Your reputation is as important as your runway

Web3 companies often focus on building their tech above all else, but poor public communications can undermine all the work they do.

FTX sues LayerZero Labs to recover US$21 million

FTX cryptocurrency exchange has filed a lawsuit against LayerZero Labs to recover $21.37 million allegedly withdrawn from the exchange illegally.

U.S. SEC moves to appeal Ripple court decision

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) submitted a filing last Friday that pushed the court of the Southern District of New York to appeal its ruling on the agency’s lawsuit against Ripple Labs.

Bitcoin starts week below US$26,000; Ether dips after hack on Vitalik Buterin’s X account; more rate hike worries on Wall Street

There was red ink across the crypto market Monday morning in Asia as Bitcoin dipped below US$26,000. Ether also fell to near the US$16,000 mark.

Korea Blockchain Week: diverging crypto paths for the US and Asia

The annual Korea Blockchain Week conference in Seoul is running from Sept. 4 to 10. Crypto industry leaders and advocates from around the world have gathered in the South Korean capital to discuss all things blockchain, including the growing regulatory gap between the U.S. and Asia.

From Fukuoka to the world? The Japanese DAO trying to shake up sports fandom

In the second installment of Forkast’s ‘Crypto in Sport’ series we head to the land of the rising sun, where J1 League football club Avispa Fukuoka have incorporated a first-of-its-kind DAO into their operations. Can the DAO provide a model for the rest of the sports world to follow? Can it change the way fans engage with their clubs?

Weekly Market Wrap: ETF developments bolsters Bitcoin above US$26,000

Bitcoin returned to US$26,000 on Friday, bolstered by Ark Invest’s Ether ETF application and Grayscale’s continued efforts for its potential Bitcoin ETF.

Ether, most top 10 cryptos rise as Bitcoin leads gains in market recovery 

Bitcoin rose in afternoon trading in Asia, leading the gainers in the top 10 cryptocurrencies, fueling a wider market recovery as it returned to the US$26,000 support level. Despite the uptick, market experts warn of another potential drop to US$25,000. See related article: Weekly Market Wrap: Grayscale’s favorable court verdict, ETF hype fail to lift […]

Former FTX exec Ryan Salame to forfeit US$1.5 billion after pleading guilty to charges

Salame pleaded guilty Thursday in New York to two criminal charges related to the collapse of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange last November.

North Korean hackers stole US$41 million from gambling site: FBI

North Korea-backed Lazarus Group was behind the US$41 million hack of online crypto gambling platform Stake.com on Monday, FBI says.

U.S. CFTC charges three DeFi projects for illegal derivatives offerings

CFTC charged three U.S.-based decentralized finance protocols – Opyn, ZeroEx and Deridex – on Thursday for omitting necessary registrations .

Bitcoin ETF: The quiet 800-pound gorilla in the room is about to roar

The general public does not know this yet, but there is no longer any doubt that a Bitcoin spot ETF will come to the US market, writes Charlie McGlynn of XREX. It’s just a matter of when.

Bitcoin above US$26,000; JP Morgan working on blockchain payment system

Bitcoin rose Friday morning in Asia to above US$26,000, leading a rally across most top 10 cryptos. Ether gained but was still below US$1,650.

Coinbase and Wall Street: The merging worlds of TradFi and crypto

Top blockchain and crypto news: Coinbase steps up to fill void of crypto lenders. NFTs extend losses. What’s next for crypto as Singapore gets a new president?

Toncoin leads gains in top 10 cryptos as Bitcoin, Ether slip; Google to allow NFT gaming ads

Toncoin led gainers in the top 10 cryptos after it saw stronger investor interest since the launch of its new programming language, Tact.

No bounce for Ether after Ark Invest files for its first U.S. spot Ether ETF

Bitcoin traded flat Wednesday morning in Asia below the resistance level of US$26,000. Ether also traded flat, hovering around US$1,600.

Solana leads gains following Visa partnership news, Bitcoin little changed even as whales snap up asset

Solana led gainers in the top 10 cryptos, after the protocol announced a new partnership with payments giant Visa.

Japan’s Mizuho bank to join MUFG’s stablecoin platform

Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation and Web3 developer Ginco Inc. have partnered to introduce what they call Japan’s first “crypto asset trust.”

How the metaverse can expand the mindscape for human connections

Socializing in a virtual world has been around for 20 years but remains a niche pursuit. Will AI and the new generation of digital natives make it mainstream?

Bitcoin, Ether flat; US equities drop as rate hike concerns return

Bitcoin was trading flat below US$26,000 Wednesday morning in Asia. Ether edged up but remained below the US$1,650 mark.

The End of the Beginning for NFTs

SEC charges shake NFT market as pricey assets record losses and global sales hit new lows, marking the onset of a transformative era for digital collectibles.

Bitcoin, Ether decline as Dogecoin leads gains ahead of Elon Musk’s biography

Dogecoin led the winners in the top 10, in anticipation of Tesla owner Elon Musk’s upcoming biography, which reportedly details his involvement in the memecoin’s development.

US regulation could stifle blockchain innovation, says former White House cybersecurity director

Blockchain innovation in the U.S. could suffer from over-regulation of the crypto industry, cybersecurity expert Carole house said.

South Korea’s Hana bank partners with BitGo on digital asset services

KEB Hana Bank, one of South Korea’s largest financial institutions, will offer digital asset custody services from the latter half of 2024.

Do you really trust the smart contracts in charge of your crypto?

Making sure the smart contracts behind DeFi platforms are thoroughly audited isn’t just a job for code developers — it’s also a must for ordinary investors.

Bitcoin, Ether down; Binance loses another top executive

Bitcoin edged lower on Tuesday morning in Asia to trade below US$26,000. Ether dipped to near the US$1,600 mark.

Bitcoin, Ether remain under key levels; Sol leads gains in top 10 cryptos

Bitcoin and Ether have struggled to gain traction since the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) postponed its decision on seven Bitcoin ETF proposals.

Are Bitcoin and STOs birds of a feather? Think again

Bitcoin’s birth marked a radical departure from the strictures of centralized finance. Is the advent of asset tokenization undermining the original crypto’s founding ideals?

China court says virtual assets legally protected as properties

Virtual assets remain legal property protected by law in China, said a Friday report from People’s Court Daily.

Bitcoin flat below US$26,000 as rate hike woes cool down

Bitcoin edged up on Monday morning in Asia but remained below US$26,000. Ether also stayed range-bound at around US$1,650.

Real Bedford — Bitcoin, football and the bear market

In the first installment of Forkast’s ‘Crypto in Sport’ series, we visit the U.K. and the homeground of Real Bedford — the world’s first Bitcoin-funded football team. Can the team’s rock-n-roll rebrand under Bitcoin evangelist Peter McCormack propel the team up the English football pyramid? Or will the crypto winter put a freeze on its progress?

SEC delays verdict on BlackRock’s ETF application; Will Bitcoin ETFs see light of day?

After Grayscale’s legal win, the SEC decided to postpone its decision on spot Bitcoin ETF applications. Will these proposals be greenlit? And when?

Weekly Market Wrap: Grayscale’s favorable court verdict, ETF hype fail to lift Bitcoin above US$28,000

While Grayscale’s favorable verdict over the SEC could pave the way for the first spot Bitcoin ETF in the U.S., it failed to bring Bitcoin above the US$28,000 support level.

Bitcoin below US$26,000, most other top 10 cryptos extend losses

Bitcoin, Ether and other cryptos dropped on Friday afternoon in Asia. Toncoin and Tron gained.

How crypto can help Africa reap greater yields — of the agricultural kind

Assisted by blockchain and AI, small farmers can make better use of data for more bountiful harvests. But adapting to new technology isn’t always easy.

Bitcoin falls back to US$26,000, Ether nears ‘death cross,’ while investors await US jobs report for August

Bitcoin, Ether and other cryptos were down Friday morning. U.S. equities were flat as investors look towards August’s jobs report later Friday.

The rise and continuing fall of Sam Bankman-Fried: A step-by-step guide to his case so far

The 9 key pieces of information you need to know ahead of the FTX founder’s first trial on Oct. 2

Grayscale triumphs over SEC: A David v. Goliath win in the crypto arena

Top blockchain and crypto news: U.S. court compels SEC to review Grayscale’s ETF application. SEC zooms in on NFTs. Asia’s richest man eyes blockchain, CBDCs

Uniswap securities violation charges dismissed by US court

A U.S. district court on Wednesday dismissed charges against a group of five firms for alleged securities violations on the Uniswap DeFi platform.

All top 10 cryptos fall except Dogecoin, as boost from Grayscale ETF ruling fades

Bitcoin, Ether and most other top 10 cryptos dropped on Thursday after a Wednesday rally on news of Grayscale receiving a favorable ruling against the SEC.

India’s CoinSwitch crypto exchange fires 44 employees as trading volumes drop

CoinSwitch, an Indian cryptocurrency exchange backed by Tiger Global and Sequoia Capital, has laid off 44 employees from its customer support team due to a drop in customer queries with falling trading volumes.

Crypto market gets boost from favorable court ruling for Grayscale against U.S. SEC

Prices of all cryptocurrencies rose on Wednesday after a U.S. court backed Grayscale on its Bitcoin ETF application, compelling the SEC to review its rejection of the application.

Hong Kong grants SEBA Bank in-principle approval for crypto trading

The Hong Kong branch of SEBA Bank has received an in-principle approval from regulators to provide virtual asset trading services in the jurisdiction.

Green ink across crypto after Grayscale scores SEC win

A U.S. court’s landmark decision to side with Grayscale on its Bitcoin ETF application to the SEC sent crypto prices upward Wednesday morning in Asia.

A Dark but necessary time for NFTs is here

From Miami parties with A$AP Ferg to a historic NFT market slump: The highs and lows of the NFT world.

Court backs Grayscale, overturns SEC decision blocking Bitcoin ETF

In a landmark ruling, the court overturned the SEC’s previous decision, signaling potential tailwinds for other financial giants.

Bitcoin, Ether gain; traders cautious as U.S. regulator goes after NFT firm

Bitcoin, Ether rose less than 1% in the past 24 hours while posting losses on the week. Polkadot led gains among top 10 cryptos.

SEC charges NFT project with securities law violations

The U.S. SEC charged Impact Theory, a Los Angeles-based media and entertainment company, on Monday with offering unregistered securities in the form of NFTs.

Bitcoin, Ether trading flat as SEC targets firm offering NFTs

Bitcoin, Ether were little changed. Cardano led gains while Solana posted losses as experts say crypto prices are looking up.

Asia’s richest man bets on blockchain, CBDC

Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s richest man from India, said on Monday that his Reliance Industries Ltd. is exploring blockchain-based platforms and central bank digital currencies (CBDC).

India’s PM advocates global ethical framework for cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence

Amid growing concerns around algorithm biases and their societal impact, India Prime Minister Modi calls for international consensus on ethical AI and crypto governance at the B20 summit. 

Friend.tech daily fees and buyers drop by over 90%

Friend.tech saw its daily revenue, fees and active buyers fall over 90% from its peak.

Bitcoin dips below US$26,000, crypto faces downward pressure amid Fed’s rate hike signals

Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies face headwinds on the first trading day of the week in Asia following the U.S. central bank’s Jackson Hole Symposium remarks, while Tron bucks the trend with modest gains.

Binance delists sanctioned Russian lenders from P2P services: WSJ

Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange, has removed sanctioned Russian banks from its P2P trading service, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. 

DeFi revenue remains resilient despite Curve Finance hack

Even as the value of assets in DeFi dips, service provider revenues stand strong, undeterred by the US$73 million Curve Finance breach, Forkast Labs data shows.