Beijing Winter Olympics vendors begin to accept digital yuan
Shijingshan, a site for the upcoming Winter Olympics, has started supporting payments made using the state digital money, known as e-CNY.
UNICEF invests in blockchain startups for financial inclusion
UNICEF Venture Fund is awarding up to $100,000 to blockchain startups, including India’s GovBlocks, in its latest funding round. Here are the other projects.
How NFTs are redrawing Asia’s art scene from artists to galleries
From Phillips auction house in Hong Kong to Art Fair Philippines, non-fungible tokens are redefining how Asia appreciates, buys and profits from art.
Taiwan boy band star Van Ness Wu praises NFTs, prepares for charity selfie sale
California-born singer looks to rekindle relationship with his fans as he pledges to donate the proceeds from his NFT sale to a Taiwan-based NGO.
Ripple asks court to ignore 70+ SEC actions against cryptos before XRP
Did Ripple have ‘fair notice’ that SEC might deem the XRP a security? Ripple calls report on SEC’s prior anti-crypto enforcement actions ‘misleading.’
Indian crypto exchanges form self-regulatory body
Crypto exchanges in India have partnered with the Internet and Mobile Association of India to form a self-regulatory body.
Beijing looks to boost blockchain, create industry champions
China has released guidelines aimed at boosting the country’s blockchain development.
Take that, Miami: Hong Kong hosts its own Bitcoin meet-up
As 50,000 Bitcoiners and crypto superstars whoop it up at Miami’s Bitcoin 2021 fest, a smaller group of BTC fans hold their own at the Fringe in Hong Kong.
Chinese crypto social media crackdown; Seoul tightens rules on crypto | The Daily Forkast
Chinese social media Weibo bans crypto accounts as employees of South Korean crypto exchanges can no longer trade on their own platforms.
Ripple accuses SEC of ‘noncompliance’ in sharing XRP, Bitcoin and Ether communications
Ripple is also asking court to order SEC to reveal the agency’s internal employee policies on trading cryptocurrencies and other digital assets.
Shanghai in US$3M e-CNY windfall ahead of Dragon Boat holiday
Following a digital yuan giveaway announced for Beijing last week, Shanghai will distribute 350,000 red envelopes to people across the city during next week’s Dragon Boat Festival.
Crypto mining rig maker Goldshell to launch ‘mine-at-home’ kits in Asia
Crypto mining equipment manufacturer Goldshell has announced that it will launch a new line of mining rigs designed specifically for home use in Asian markets.
Weibo blocks crypto accounts as Chinese clampdown continues
Microblog platform Weibo has blocked more than 30 influential Chinese cryptocurrency-related accounts amid a series of actions by Beijing against crypto mining and trading.
What blockchain games like Alien Worlds say about life outside metaverses
In a special Q&A, Sarojini McKenna of Alien Worlds discusses play-to-earn gaming, digital assets like Trilium, and lives increasingly lived inside virtual worlds.
How serious is the threat of Bitcoin mining to the environment?
Is Bitcoin’s carbon footprint a growing risk to Earth, or is it a red herring? On this year’s United Nations World Environment Day, crypto mining is a hot topic.
Criticisms of Tether’s reserves are unfounded, says Bitfinex CTO
After Tether’s legal settlement with New York, USDT’s growth is exploding—dispelling concerns over Tether’s reserves, says Bitfinex CTO Paolo Ardoino.
Prominent Chinese economist urges public to ‘avoid confusion’ between digital currency and cryptocurrencies
It is important to distinguish between developing a digital currency for currency digitalization and digitalization of assets or cryptocurrencies so that China can be more focused on preventing risks in the financial sector, said Fan Gang, a Peking University professor and a prominent advocate in China for economic reform. Fast Facts: In a keynote speech […]
Ripple execs seek info to defend XRP trades from 16 foreign crypto exchanges
To defend themselves against SEC lawsuit, Ripple’s CEO and chairman ask court for help getting XRP info from a who’s who list of offshore crypto exchanges.
DBS Bank tapping on tokenized bonds as a new way to invest
From digital bonds to real estate, blockchain-enabled security token offerings and tokenization are redefining corporate fundraising and investing.
Ethereum is rocketing out of this world with SpaceX and SpaceChain
Can Ethereum, also known as the ‘World Computer,’ function outside this world — in space? A SpaceX rocket launch today will put that to the test.
Is India’s central bank greenlighting crypto? Bitcoin fees fall to new lows. Cardano rolls out Alonzo upgrade for DeFi.
Other top blockchain and crypto news: Thailand’s SEC tries to rein in DeFi via regulation. Will China’s future DCEP digital yuan offer smart contracts?
China to give away digital yuan worth US$6.3M in latest e-CNY test
China is set to hand out 200,000 virtual red envelopes, each containing 200 yuan (US$31.30) of the country’s prototype digital currency, to Beijing residents.
What’s up with Taproot, the biggest proposed change to Bitcoin since 2017?
Bitcoin’s proposed Taproot update for smart contracts and privacy has wide verbal support from miners, but will they put their crypto where their mouth is?
Financial Stability Board seeks faster, cheaper cross-border payments
The Financial Stability Board has launched a public consultation on global targets for cross-border payments.
How blockchain technology is revolutionizing KYC in financial services
‘Know your customer’ is key to anti-money laundering efforts. Isabelle Corbett of R3 explains why blockchain is uniquely suited for KYC/AML.
Singapore’s DBS Bank launches its first digital bond
Singapore’s DBS Bank has announced its first security token offering on the DBS Digital Exchange.
Gold vs. Bitcoin: Which one is better as a safe-haven asset?
Gold prices are rising again and at a three-month high. How does gold — a store of value for over 2,500 years — compare to Bitcoin as a refuge from market turmoil?
Taxing crypto down under; Privacy coins spike in value | The Daily Forkast
Tax season is here and the ATO wants to make sure Aussies pay their taxes for crypto earnings. Also, Privacy coins have surged over the past weeks.
Privacy coin Monero surges as US and Australia target crypto gains
Privacy-centric coins like Monero, ZCash and Dash are seeing big price rises as the IRS and ATO issue warnings on taxable crypto transactions.
How FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried navigates crypto trading’s new normal
From mass liquidations to meme trading, the characteristics unique to the crypto market can now be seen in traditional markets, says FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried.
Are 73 SEC actions against crypto enough warning to Ripple about XRP?
SEC says Ripple had plenty of ‘notice’ that XRP transactions could be violating the law via its many enforcement actions against other crypto companies.
Bridging the DeFi data gap with indexing blockchain data
Blockchain technology has massive data requirements, but the data can be difficult and costly to access. What are some of the solutions?
Ethereum 2 to set green future; Koreans demand regulator steps down | The Daily Forkast
Vitalik Buterin sets a green future for the Ethereum network while Bitdeer becomes the latest to block Chinese miners.
Will China become the new digital currency superpower?
The U.S. dollar reigns supreme as the current world reserve currency. Could the USD’s status change with the rise of CBDCs like China’s DCEP digital yuan?
How Ripple found new ways to grow XRP business despite SEC lawsuit
Ripple’s CEO Brad Garlinghouse says Ripple was hit hard financially after SEC filed its lawsuit, but the company is now expanding uses for XRP’s technology.
Vitalik Buterin speaks: What lies in the future of Ethereum?
Breaking into occasional Mandarin at a Hong Kong conference, Ethereum’s visionary creator tells all — including why Ethereum 2.0 is taking so long.
Can Elon Musk shrink Bitcoin mining’s carbon footprint? PancakeBunny’s $200 million hack. Ray Dalio admits to owning crypto.
Other top blockchain and crypto news: Australia signals progressive approach to crypto as Hong Kong moves closer to banning retail crypto trading.
Polygon and Aleph.im partner to protect NFTs from disappearing
Fast-growing Ethereum scaling platform Polygon and decentralized storage network Aleph.im join forces to ‘supercharge’ Polygon’s NFT ecosystem.
Crypto exchange Poloniex faces sanctions over alleged securities breaches
Ontario Securities Commission is taking enforcement action on crypto exchange Poloniex for its alleged violation of Ontario securities law.
Indonesia to launch digital rupiah as online payments soar
Indonesia is planning to launch a digital version of its national currency, central bank Governor Perry Warjiyo said on Tuesday.
DeFi has boosted challenger banks. Now it’s their customers’ turn
New and innovative lenders are taking advantage of DeFi’s low costs to offer savings account interest rates that Main Street banks simply can’t match.
What is the outlook for Bitcoin and Ethereum for the rest of 2021?
The current dip aside, what are Bitcoin and Ethereum’s longer-term price forecasts? Finder’s brain trust of 35 crypto experts peers into a crystal ball.
Hong Kong split on retail crypto ban; Korean conglomerate on custody | The Daily Forkast
Hong Kong reacts to the region’s pending legislation on limiting crypto investment to professional investors while a conglomerate enters South Korea’s crypto custody scene.
Bitcoin dominance rises to 45% as altcoins crash over China crypto crackdown
As the crypto sell-off continued over the weekend, Bitcoin once again proved its resilience relative to other cryptocurrencies in not bleeding as much.
Bybit crypto derivatives exchange launches cloud mining for Ether
Crypto exchange Bybit is launching cloud mining to provide exposure to Ether. What happens when Ethereum moves from proof of work to proof of stake?
How NFTs could trigger lawsuits and anti-money laundering regulation
Non-fungible tokens may be a boon for art and sports collectibles, but the technology is also spawning a host of thorny regulatory and legal issues.
Solana gets Coinbase listing after SOL prices surge amid crypto market crash
Coinbase Pro adds Solana’s native token, opening the doors for US investors after SOL outperforms Bitcoin and most other cryptos amid market crash.
Thailand’s The Brooker Group still bullish on crypto, planning US$3M investment in DeFi
The Booker Group announced that it now holds approximately US$35 million in crypto and plans to invest US$3 million into DeFi in Q2.
What’s really behind the Bitcoin market crash? Tether USDT lifts veil on reserves. Facebook-backed Diem going to California.
Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: BlockFi’s accidental BTC millionaires. China’s Inner Mongolia asks citizens to report illegal crypto mining.
Crypto chaos continues; mass BTC liquidations in exchanges across Asia | The Daily Forkast
Mass liquidations are observed across exchanges as the crypto market continues to struggle. Meanwhile, institutions explore DeFi.
NEM’s Symbol blockchain launching NFT footballer collectibles
NEM Group is launching NFTs with former Liverpool footballer and manager Sir Kenny Dalglish and current Manchester City player Riyad Mahrez.
Chainlink joins Hedera council in push to link DeFi with traditional finance
Chainlink, a data oracle, has joined the Hedera Governing Council, which oversees the distributed governance of the Hedera network, an enterprise-grade public network for the decentralized economy.
Judge denies Ripple’s bid to bar SEC from seeking foreign info on XRP
In a win for the SEC, a judge knocks back Ripple’s request to stop the SEC from asking foreign regulators for info on Ripple and XRP transactions overseas.
Rejecting traditional finance, some firms now turn to DeFi for growth capital
DeFi project Maple Finance is launching a $17 million lending pool to provide crypto startups with capital. Is this the start of a DeFi credit underwriting trend?
Digital dollar’s values to fortify USD hegemony, says ex-CFTC chair
Former CFTC chairman Chris Giancarlo and Accenture’s David Treat are not in a CBDC race, but a ‘contest’ to develop money that reflects societal values.
Bitcoin drops below US$40,000; China sends another crypto warning | The Daily Forkast
China’s newest warning against crypto sends market into nosedive and Bitcoin dips below US$40,000 for the first time since February.
Will Singapore launch a people’s digital currency — and support DeFi?
As Singapore builds Project Dunbar, a cross-border multiple-CBDC platform, its government dives into DeFi learning and ponders a CBDC for the masses.
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.
SEC and XRP holders face off anew over SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple
In a new court filing, SEC tries to keep out 6 representatives of 17,100 XRP holders from joining as 3rd party defendants in the SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple.
Ripple seeks to protect legal advice on XRP from disclosure to SEC
Ripple rebuts SEC’s attempt to obtain Ripple’s confidential communications with lawyers over XRP’s legal status and seeks to bolster ‘fair notice’ defense.
‘Fear’ gets the best of Bitcoin; ‘Charlie Bit Me’ is now an NFT | The Daily Forkast
FUD has taken over Bitcoin’s FOMO sentiment as iconic YouTube video ‘Charlie Bit Me’ gets immortalized as an NFT.
Audience fave ‘Charlie bit me’ video to be auctioned off as NFT
The home video that has been viewed more than 880 million times is set to be sold as NFT to highest bidder — and then deleted forevermore from YouTube.
Led by Cardano ADA, green cryptos rise as Bitcoin, wider market sinks
ADA price holds strong as investors shift to greener cryptocurrencies and Cardano smart contracts get set to launch blockchain into DeFi and NFTs.
New York’s Bitcoin mining showdown sets stage for battles elsewhere
A dispute over a Bitcoin mine’s environmental impact leads to a push to ban crypto mines in New York state. Will other places follow Albany’s lead?
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?
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.
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.
Crypto markets crash as Tesla stops taking Bitcoin for payments
Elon Musk drops ‘fossil fuel’ Twitter bomb on Bitcoin, triggering a BTC price crash and dragging down Ethereum, Dogecoin and Shiba Inu.
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?