India may impose 28% GST on crypto transactions
The Indian government is working to determine whether cryptocurrencies can be classified as goods or services, which can impose a different taxation scheme on digital assets, local media reported. See related article: India’s crypto tax will incur losses for government, says WazirX CEO Fast facts Government officials believe crypto trading is similar to gambling and […]
New crypto regulation — including tax reform — coming to Australia
Sweeping reforms are coming to Australia’s crypto sector, including a new tax system, additional protections for investors, and regulation for crypto exchanges and brokers. See related article: Australia on track for a crypto boom by 2030, EY report says Fast facts The Australian government will release documents relating to the regulation on Monday as it […]
Russian bank given crypto license: China to monitor outflows
As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine rages on and sanctions continue to mount, Russia-based bank Sberbank obtains a crypto license from the Central Bank of Russia. Meanwhile in China, social media platform Weibo allows its users to mint NFTs of their social media posts.
From crisis currency to consumer adoption: What next for crypto?
Cryptocurrencies have won credit for their role in Ukraine’s war, showing utility that will drive them beyond the battlefield, says Amber Group’s Michael Wu.
What US Fed’s interest rate hike means for China and its CBDC
Capital control limiting outflows may be less of an issue in the future with e-CNY being a ‘controllable currency,’ experts say.
Weibo launches NFT marketplace, allowing users to mint posts
Weibo, a social media platform known as the Chinese equivalent of Twitter with 249 million daily active users, launched its non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace TopHolder on Thursday, allowing users to mint their original posts into NFTs and sell them. See related article: Zuckerberg confirms NFTs coming to Instagram Fast facts Users will need to pass […]
Europe’s first metaverse ETF lists on London Stock Exchange
Europe’s first metaverse-themed exchange-traded fund (ETF), the ETC Group Global Metaverse UCITS ETF (METR), listed on the London Stock Exchange Thursday, available for sale across Europe. See related article: Hong Kong gears up for its first metaverse ETF Fast facts The ETF will track the Solactive ETC Group Global Metaverse Index, which currently offers exposure […]
Shinhan Card sends all employees to metaverse training camp
South Korean financial institution Shinhan Financial Group’s credit card subsidiary announced Friday that all of its employees are headed to the Gather.town metaverse for training on data usage in business operations. See related article: S. Korean, S. African banks team up for stablecoin-based remittances Fast facts Shinhan Card employees will complete missions on the metaverse […]
Eqonex appoints former Binance UK head as CEO
Nasdaq-listed crypto exchange Eqonex has appointed Jonathan Farnell, a former head of Binance U.K., as its new CEO and a director on the board. See related article: UK regulator may cancel Eqonex’s registration over Binance, Bifinity ties Fast facts Helen Hai, president of Binance’s payment arm Bifinity, has also been appointed to the board. The […]
Jack Dorsey’s Block funds Japanese fintech company Kyash in $41M round
Tokyo-based mobile financial platform Kyash has raised US$41.2 million (about 4.9 billion yen) in its Series D funding joined by Jack Dorsey’s Block. See related article: After Facebook’s name change to Meta, Square has now become Block Fast facts Kyash has accumulated a total funding of about US$107.7 million since its launch in 2015, which […]
Coinbase wallet announces support for Solana
The largest U.S. crypto exchange Coinbase announced on Friday support for the Solana ecosystem through its wallet browser extension, allowing users to manage their Solana (SOL) and Solana-based SPL tokens See related article: Solana wallet Phantom brings valuation to $1.2B after $109M Series B Fast facts Solana’s integration with the wallet enables users to access […]
Russia’s Sberbank obtains crypto license from central bank
The Central Bank of Russia has given the country’s largest bank, Sberbank, a license to issue and exchange digital assets only two months after the central bank had called for a full ban on cryptocurrency. See related article: Russia retreats from crypto ban as it pushes rules for industry Fast facts The move may allow […]
Ukraine legalizes crypto; Korea’s crypto policy ideas
Ukrainian President signs a digital assets bill into law. Meanwhile in China, Cannan plans to buy back shares.
4M trees required to negate the carbon emissions of CryptoKitties NFTs: report
Around 4 million trees are required to offset the nearly 240 million kilograms of carbon dioxide produced by the CryptoKitties non-fungible token (NFT) collection, according to research by NFT Club, an NFT education company. See related article: NFTs and music: Is the fan outcry over NFTs’ environmental impact warranted? Fast facts Sorare, Axie Infinity, Art […]
Ethereum moves closer to proof-of-stake after Kiln
Ethereum’s merge on the Kiln testnet on Wednesday was a success, as the blockchain passed the final public test before its highly anticipated transition from a proof-of-work (PoW) consensus mechanism to proof-of-stake (PoS), which is expected to happen by the end of Q2, 2022. See related article: The best of Ethereum 2.0 is yet to […]
S.Korean crypto industry calls for local language white papers
South Korean digital asset experts gathered at the National Assembly on Thursday to discuss president-elect Yoon Suk-yeol’s crypto campaign promises, which included his plan to bring back initial coin offerings (ICOs). See related article: A crypto bull wins the presidency: What it means for South Korea Fast facts The head of crypto exchange Upbit’s investor […]
BAYC’s floor price surpasses 100 ETH since ApeCoin launch
Bored Ape Yacht Club’s (BAYC) floor price surged to 106.5 ETH since the launch of ApeCoin, while its spin-off collection Mutant Ape Yacht Club’s (MAYC) floor price rose to 23.65 ETH at press time. See related article: Bored Ape Yacht Club teams up with Animoca Brands to develop play-to-earn game Fast facts The ApeCoin launch […]
Binance wins crypto license in Dubai days after FTX
Binance has received a virtual asset license in Dubai to offer services to qualified investors, as the world’s largest crypto giants continue their Middle East drive. See related article: Binance wins license in Bahrain, explores acquisition of Brazilian brokerage Fast facts The license will allow Binance to operate within Dubai’s “test-adapt-scale” model and serve pre-qualified […]
Canaan to buy back up to $100M shares to drive value
Chinese crypto mining rig maker Canaan announced Wednesday its plans to buy back up to US$100 million worth of shares over the next two years. See related article: Chinese mining rig maker Canaan secures purchase order from Genesis for 30K units Fast facts The Nasdaq-listed company’s latest move comes after it completed its previous US$20 […]
Indonesia’s crypto scene is booming. What are the risks?
Crypto’s growing popularity is also leading to more fraud and abuses, writes Ronald Molenaar of ADVANCE.AI. What can be done to better protect users?
Bitcoin, crypto market in the green after Fed rate hike
Bitcoin and most of the top cryptocurrencies by market capitalization landed in the green on Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve raised interest rates on Wednesday. See related article: Is Bitcoin really a hedge against inflation? Fast facts The U.S. central bank hiked its benchmark interest rate by 0.25 basis points, for the first time […]
Renewables uptake: Bitcoin the problem or solution?
There is more to transitioning to renewable energy than one might expect, and in Australia, one Bitcoin mining company says the industry can play a role.
Zelenskyy legalizes cryptocurrency in Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a virtual assets bill into law to legalize cryptocurrencies in a country that is receiving millions in crypto donations for military and humanitarian aid in its war against Russia. See related article: Ukraine crypto donations top $36M amid Russian invasion Fast facts The law determines the legal status for […]
Hong Kong’s flagship bank HSBC heads into The Sandbox metaverse
HSBC, a leading global banking and financial services provider, announced a partnership with blockchain gaming platform The Sandbox, in a statement released on Wednesday, to build its presence in the Hong Kong-based firm’s metaverse. See related article: Who are the biggest players in the metaverse today? Fast facts HSBC will develop a plot of LAND, […]
China highlights crypto crimes; Kazakh miners busted
Chinese authorities cracked down on crypto related crimes on Consumer Rights Day. Meanwhile in Kazakhstan, the former President’s brother was busted for illegal crypto mining operations.
Bitcoin avoids European ban as lawmakers decline to outlaw ‘proof of work’
Top blockchain and crypto news: PoW spared as Europe revamps MiCA rules. Yuga Labs acquires CryptoPunks rights. China’s Mango TV makes NFT debut.
China lashes out at crypto fraud on World Consumer Rights Day
No more Burger King, Nike and Muji. This year’s annual focus on marketplace abuse names and shames crypto scams.
Mutant Ape Yacht Club becomes 5th NFT collection to join the $1B club
Mutant Ape Yacht Club (MAYC) became the fifth non-fungible token (NFT) collection to cross US$1 billion in all-time sales on Wednesday, according to data from CryptoSlam. See related article: Mutant Ape NFTs collect $140 million on OpenSea market Fast facts Axie Infinity occupies the top spot in sales volume with over US$4 billion, followed by […]
Bitcoin wakes up to pass $40,000 before going back to sleep
Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, crossed the US$40,000-mark on Wednesday morning Asia time after a sudden surge before returning to its pre-surge price in less than two hours. See related article: Bitcoin leads market-wide downturn as Russia fears rise Fast facts Bitcoin’s price has remained steady for the past five days, and its […]
Terra founder bets millions on LUNA’s annual growth
Terraform Labs CEO and founder Do Kwon has accepted bets worth millions of dollars on Terra’s cryptocurrency LUNA trading higher than US$88 in a year’s time, which was the price of the token at the time of the bet. See related article: Is Terra — whose LUNA coin is now at another all-time high — […]
Ex-Kazakh president’s brother busted for illegal crypto mining
Former Kazakhstan president Nursultan Nazarbayev’s brother Bolat Nazarbayev was among 106 illegal cryptocurrency miners to halt operations in the government’s latest round of inspections, the Financial Monitoring Agency announced on Tuesday. See related article: Kazakhstan busts 13 illegal Bitcoin mining farms amid power concerns Fast facts See related article: Crypto mining’s Great Migration continues — […]
Crypto is playing a prominent role in the Ukraine War — on both sides of the conflict
Amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, two divergent narratives about crypto are being told, writes Alex Tapscott. Which version is correct?
Zuckerberg confirms NFTs coming to Instagram
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg confirmed non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are coming to Instagram while speaking at the SXSW festival in Texas on Tuesday. See related article: What decentralization can offer Web 3.0 and social media | Part 1 Fast facts “We’re working on bringing NFTs to Instagram in the near term,” Zuckerberg said. Zuckerberg said the […]
ConsenSys raises $450M in Series D, raises valuation to $7B
Ethereum software developer ConsenSys announced on Tuesday it has raised US$450 million in Series D funding, bringing its valuation to US$7 billion. See related article: New Cosmos, Mastercard projects to boost Ethereum scalability Fast facts The latest funding round was led by ParaFi Capital, with investors including Temasek, SoftBank Vision Fund 2 and Microsoft. The […]
BSN partners with INDUSTRIA, eyes UK market
China’s Blockchain-based Service Network (BSN) has announced a partnership with U.K. tech firm INDUSTRIA, as the state-backed blockchain infrastructure looks to make a foray into the European market. See related article: BSN to integrate CasperLabs’ chain to support NFT issuance in China Fast facts The partnership marks BSN’s first attempt to enter the U.K. and […]
Singapore imposes sanctions; Bitcoin bucks market trend
Crypto exchange Binance has won a license to operate in Bahrain. Meanwhile in Southeast Asia, Singapore’s Monetary Authority has designated Russian banks amid growing sanctions.
Vogue NFTs for humanitarian aid in Ukraine list on OpenSea
Vogue Singapore and Vogue Ukraine have listed a non-fungible token (NFT) collection “Fashion for Peace” on the OpenSea marketplace to raise funds for humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine. See related article: Two sides to every coin: Crypto as a weapon in the fight for Ukraine Fast facts See related article: Ukraine to launch NFT ‘museum’ […]
FTX gets crypto exchange license in Dubai
Crypto exchange FTX has secured a digital asset exchange license in Dubai under new laws adopted last week and will be setting up a local headquarters in the city. See related article: Crypto on the beach: FTX and other players find paradise in the Caribbean Fast facts Binance has also secured a license under the […]
Which altcoins will take center stage in 2022?
Investors believe Bitcoin will stand its ground this year but in the altcoins world, some rising stars are brimming with potential.
1 in 3 Filipino gamers would quit jobs to play NFT games: survey
One in three gamers among 1,103 respondents are willing to quit or will consider resigning from their professional positions to play non-fungible token (NFT) games full time, according to a survey conducted by NFT gaming platform Balthazar. See related article: Top NFT game Axie Infinity generated $1.3B in revenue last year Fast facts Among the […]
Chinese video streamer MangoTV NFT sells out in seconds
MangoTV, a Chinese video streaming platform with 50.4 million subscribers, launched its non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace on Monday, as its first batch of collectibles sold out within seconds since opening. See related article: China plans crackdown on illegal fundraising in metaverse, NFTs Fast facts MangoTV is owned by the state-backed Hunan Broadcasting System and is the […]
Singapore targets designated Russian banks amid sanctions
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has imposed financial measures targeting designated Russian banks, entities and activities in Russia, and fundraising activities benefiting the Russian government, in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. See related article: Singapore prohibits crypto, NFT transactions in sanctions against Russia Fast facts An MAS notice named the designated banks as […]
LG first in S.Korea cosmetics industry to digitize beauty brand with NFTs
LG Household & Health Care is minting 3,000 non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on OpenSea to promote its beauty brand Belif with plans to further expand linkage with the metaverse. See related article: TV home shopping in South Korea moves to the metaverse Fast facts LG’s Klaytn blockchain-based NFT collection consists of 12 characters from the Belif […]
How crypto is driving diversity and gender equality
While crypto used to be associated with a ‘bro’ culture, it is now maturing into a hotbed for inclusivity, writes Cynthia Wu of Matrixport.
Binance wins license in Bahrain, explores acquisition of Brazilian brokerage
Binance has obtained a license from the Central Bank of Bahrain to operate as a crypto service provider, marking a significant step for the crypto exchange to expand in the Middle East. See related article: Binance eyes gaming, e-commerce in upcoming acquisition spree Fast facts Binance will be allowed to offer crypto trading, custodial and […]
EU votes against de facto Bitcoin mining ban
The European Parliament voted on Monday against a de facto ban on cryptocurrencies that rely on energy-intensive proof-of-work (PoW) consensus mechanisms, such as Bitcoin, from its proposed Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) framework. See related article: How serious is the threat of Bitcoin mining to the environment? Fast facts The Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs […]
Ripple proposes S. Korea distinguish between cryptocurrencies for regulatory clarity
Ripple, a blockchain-based digital payment network, has made a proposal for South Korea to make clear distinctions in cryptocurrencies between payment tokens, utility tokens, and security tokens, in a policy paper released on Tuesday. Read related article: Amid SEC lawsuit, Ripple buys back stock and raises value to US$15B Fast facts Ripple’s policy paper says […]
Singapore’s crypto future; Korea “White Day” NFTs a hit
Singapore’s image as a “crypto hub” may soon change as the country doubles-down on it’s stance that crypto currency is “not suitable for the general public”. Meanwhile, Korean convenience store giants CU launch their White Day NFT competition.
Oracles are vital to DeFi. Here’s how they are evolving
In an era when anyone can claim anything as ‘truth,’ it’s more important than ever for oracles to be trustworthy and secure, writes Hart Lambur of UMA.
Japan urges crypto exchanges to comply with Russian sanctions
Japan’s Financial Services Agency and Ministry of Finance jointly announced penalties on crypto exchanges that do not comply with sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, following G7 vows to tighten crypto sanctions. See related article: Russians turn to crypto as Western sanctions hit the ruble Fast facts See related article: Russia faces crypto […]
How Singapore is reimagining its ‘Asian crypto hub’ image
The Lion City has been the place to be for crypto firms, but retail activity is slowing down while the central bank continues to build a haven for institutional investors.
Ukraine to launch NFT ‘museum’ depicting Russian invasion
The Ukrainian government will launch a non-fungible token (NFT) collection that will be “like a museum of the Russian-Ukrainian war,” the Guardian reported on Sunday, citing minister of digital transformation Alex Bornyakov. See related article: Ukraine cancels crypto airdrop, promises NFTs Fast facts Each NFT will feature digital art depicting a news story from trusted […]
L’Dezen auctions physical and NFT earrings for owner and avatar
A pair of diamond earrings designed by luxury lifestyle brand L’Dezen and its non-fungible token (NFT) counterpart sold for 3.27 ETH (US$8,205) at an online auction on Saturday at Ethereum-based marketplace Digital Twin. See related article: How high fashion is waking up to blockchain’s possibilities Fast facts The winning bidder will receive the physical jewelry […]
20,000 line up for S.Korean convenience store’s NFTs on White Day
South Korean convenience store CU’s non-fungible token (NFT) collectibles airdrop event for White Day, a local romantic holiday, drew in more than 20,000 applications. Read related article: Samsung-backed university to issue NFTs to select graduates Fast facts March 14 is celebrated as White Day in Japan and Korea, where men return the favor to women […]
NFTs subject to existing tax rules in Singapore, FM says
Income from non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in Singapore will be subject to existing income tax rules, the Business Times reported, citing Singapore Finance Minister Lawrence Wong’s Friday speech in parliament. See related article: Singapore prohibits crypto, NFT transactions in sanctions against Russia Fast facts However, individuals who receive capital gains from NFT transactions will not be […]
US bill targets e-CNY; Russian sanctions hurting public
Blockchain data analysis platform Chainalysis has launched a set of free sanction screening tools. Meanwhile, lawmakers in the US take aim at China’s digital yuan, or e-CNY, while Russian sanctions begin to highlight issues with financial sovereignty as hundreds of thousands of Russian and Ukrainian civilians are caught in the financial crossfire.
Two sides to every coin: Crypto as a weapon in the fight for Ukraine
Cryptocurrency is being used both to fund Ukraine’s defense and prevent Russia’s ability to skirt sanctions in what may become a pivotal moment for the industry.
A crypto bull wins the presidency: What it means for South Korea
ICOs, revamped taxation, and investor protection reverse a past crypto reluctance under the incoming administration.
Polkadot is top crypto held by VCs and hedge funds in Q4 2021
Around 42% of venture capital and hedge funds investing in crypto are betting on the success of Polkadot’s smart contracts platform, according to Messari’s fund analysis. See related article: What is Polkadot and why is it one of the hottest blockchains right now? Fast facts Polkadot was the most commonly held altcoin in Q4 last […]
Is cryptocurrency a workaround for sanctions against Russia?
War-mongering Russia is finding itself increasingly isolated. Can cryptocurrency help the rogue state soften the blow of sanctions?
Hangzhou company claims city will likely win digital yuan pilot bid
An anonymous company based in Hangzhou told state media that it has signed deals with major commercial banks to facilitate the digital yuan, hinting China’s southeastern city could be a winning bidder for an upcoming batch of digital yuan pilot programs. See related article: PBOC branch chief seeks clarity on digital yuan as legal tender […]
US senators sound alarm over China’s digital yuan, Russia SWIFT sanctions
Nine U.S. senators are backing a bill that aims to crack down on China’s central bank digital currency (CBDC), the e-CNY or digital yuan, which they claim could allow Russia to bypass financial sanctions imposed on its banks and entities. See related article: Digital yuan pilot attracts Chinese province bordering Russia Fast facts “If left […]
Tomorrowland wants to bring music to Web 3.0 with FTX Europe
Global cryptocurrency exchange FTX’s European arm announced a partnership with Tomorrowland on Thursday with goals to bring blockchain and Web 3.0 applications to the popular electronic music festival. Fast facts The partners will explore Web 3.0 applications such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) for art, music, ticketing, as well as crypto payments and metaverse events. The […]
Chainalysis launches crypto wallet sanction screening tools
Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis announced the launch of two screening tools on Friday that will allow cryptocurrency wallet owners to determine if wallets are compliant with global sanctions efforts and will be provided free of charge to the crypto industry. See related article: Coinbase blocks 25,000 Russian crypto wallet addresses Fast facts Centralized exchanges widely […]
Sanctions expand for Belarus; Korea’s crypto promises
As the Russia-Ukraine conflict rages on, the European Union says that crypto is included in the sanctions against Russia and Belarus. Meanwhile, South Korean President-Elect Yoon Suk-Yeol’s term in office could bring about long awaited changes in the crypto sector.
Russians turn to crypto as Western sanctions hit the ruble
As Russia’s economy began to tank, data shows many turned to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as a store of value and means of transacting.
Bullish delays $9B SPAC merger, awaits SEC approval
Bullish has postponed its backdoor listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) through a planned special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) deal with Far Peak Acquisition Corp., as the merger still waits for approval from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. See related article: Crypto exchange Bullish announces soft launch Fast facts Bullish, operator of […]
Third Chinese tech giant Baidu to open NFT marketplace
Baidu is airdropping over 20,000 non-fungible tokens (NFTs) of nostalgic Chinese cartoon characters ahead of its upcoming marketplace launch by the end of March. See related article: Tencent calls dibs on metaverse virtual concerts in patent application Fast facts See related article: Alibaba NFT marketplace suspends users for massage gun rapid clicks
ICON surges 60% as South Korea elects new president
ICON surged more than 60% in less than half a day as South Korea’s incoming president Yoon Suk-yeol won election on Thursday morning. See related article: Crypto investors are being wooed in South Korea’s tight presidential election Fast facts In a startup forum last December, Yoon minted his signature as a non-fungible token (NFT) on […]
Binance eyes gaming, e-commerce in upcoming acquisition spree
Binance is eyeing opportunities in non-crypto industries with plans to go on an acquisition spree, the Financial Times reported. See related article: UK regulator may cancel Eqonex’s registration over Binance, Bifinity ties Fast facts Binance founder and CEO Changpeng Zhao told the Financial Times that the crypto exchange is targeting industries such as retail, e-commerce […]
India’s crypto tax will incur losses for government, says WazirX CEO
India’s plans for a 1% tax deducted at source (TDS) on every crypto transaction will result in huge losses for the government, Indian crypto exchange WazirX founder Nischal Shetty said on Wednesday. See related article: Indians see future in crypto, government sees revenue, FM says Fast facts Shetty argued more revenue is to be expected […]
EU says crypto included in sanctions against Russia and Belarus
The European Union (EU) said on Wednesday that crypto assets fall under the scope of “transferable securities” in its sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus. See related article: Russian banks turn to China’s UnionPay as Visa, Mastercard pull plug Fast facts The EU is extending its sanctions to Belarus for its involvement in Russia’s invasion […]