SEC places Chinese crypto mining rig maker Canaan on pre-delisting list
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said it determined that Canaan used an auditor whose working papers cannot be inspected or investigated completely by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). See related article: Canaan to buy back up to $100M shares to drive value Fast facts The SEC Wednesday said it is placing 88 […]
Pantera Capital closes 10 deals in India, including one with crypto unicorn CoinDCX
Pantera Capital, a U.S. hedge fund specialized in cryptocurrency investment, has closed about 10 deals in India, including one with crypto unicorn CoinDCX, Paul Veradittakit, a partner at Pantera, told The Economic Times. See related article: Temasek leads $200M funding round in crypto firm Amber Fast facts “We plan on doing a lot more (investments) […]
President-elect’s crypto plans disappoint S.Korean fintech groups
The Korea Society of Fintech & Blockchain (KSFB) and the Korea Digital Asset Service Provider Association (KDA) labeled President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol’s cryptocurrency policy proposals as disappointing for leaving out crucial objectives. See related article: S.Korea’s incoming administration pushes to end ICO drought Fast facts South Korea’s incoming right-wing administration released 110 national tasks on Monday […]
Bitcoin falls with Nasdaq’s worst performance since 2020
The Nasdaq Composite had its worst drop since June 2020, closing Thursday down 4.99% the day after the U.S. Federal Reserve announced the sharpest interest rate hike since 2000. See related article: Bitcoin flirts with US$40K as Fed stamps highest rate hike in 22 years Fast facts The cryptocurrency market joined the selloff, losing over […]
Pakistan mulls crypto future; Bitcoin’s Fed boost
Pakistan forms subcommittees to consider the future of crypto. Meanwhile, the Fed Rate hike sees Bitcoin flirt with US$40K.
10 Bored Apes win features on Monkey Shoulder bottles for royalties
Luxury liquor non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace BlockBar has selected 10 Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) avatars to be featured on 100 Monkey Shoulder limited edition NFT bottles, earning rights to 5% of sales in royalties. See related article: BlockBar and Monkey Shoulder partner for BAYC exclusive NFTs Fast facts The 10 BAYCs selected by BlockBar […]
Binance bags its first European license in France
Binance has received regulatory approval in France, as the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange continues its global expansion and push for regulatory compliance. See related article: Binance wants to play ball with regulators Fast facts Binance has obtained a digital asset service provider (DASP) registration with France’s Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), the finance market watchdog […]
Blockchain can transform international trade, but big hurdles remain
Blockchain can save time, money and reams of paperwork, writes Tim Bailey of Red Date Technology. But its future in global trade remains uncertain.
Pakistan takes a fresh look at cryptocurrency
Pakistan’s federal government has formed three subcommittees to explore the future of cryptocurrencies and related services, local media report. See related article: Pakistani central bank echoes RBI’s concerns over crypto Fast facts The first panel is chaired by the law secretary with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and […]
Kazakhstan orders Bitcoin miners to file status reports
Kazakhstan is mandating that cryptocurrency miners file regular status reports in a new ministerial order, as the Central Asian nation attempts to gain a stronger grip on the sector. See related article: Ex-Kazakh president’s brother busted for illegal crypto mining Fast facts Crypto miners must submit information including locations of mining facilities, IP addresses, power […]
Bitcoin’s role in a recession; Virtual NFT vacations
KakaoBank reviews a partnership with a local crypto exchange. Meanwhile, an Indian travel company launches NFTs of travel landmarks.
Has Bitcoin become a victim of its own success?
Except for a bout of recession in March 2020, Bitcoin has been fairly resilient to the vagaries of global financial crisis. But with murmurs of another recession gaining steam, Forkast examines the cryptocurrency’s relevance as a safe haven.
My brief wondrous life as an Axie Infinity gamer
Crypto rookie Joel Stein dives into Axie Infinity and the curious economics of ‘play to earn.’ Will his teenage gaming dreams come true?
Wildlife conservatory Australia Zoo announces NFT project with Algorand
Australia Zoo, a wildlife conservatory related to the family of noted conservationist Steve Irwin, has announced a non-fungible token (NFT) series on the green blockchain Algorand to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its Wildlife Warriors conservation project. See related article: Algorand becomes 2022 Qatar World Cup’s new blockchain partner Fast facts Created in partnership with […]
S.Korea’s incoming administration pushes to end ICO drought
South Korean president-elect Yoon Suk-yeol’s administration has included approval of initial coin offerings (ICOs) among its 110 national tasks announced Monday. See related article: Crypto is presidential election campaign issue for South Korea Fast facts The right-wing government will prepare a two-lane regulatory framework for ICOs by classifying digital assets as securities and non-securities. The […]
MakeMyTrip launches NFT collection of top Indian travel spots
Indian online travel company MakeMyTrip has launched a non-fungible-token (NFT) collection of Indian tourist destinations, becoming the first Indian travel brand to step into the NFT space. See related article: Is there a future for the NFT beyond digital art? Fast facts The NFT collection “Virtual Vacations!” aims at bringing to life “a kaleidoscopic meta-world […]
The SEC is building a SWAT team to combat crypto crime
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said it is expanding its crypto asset enforcement team by adding 20 positions, in a move to bolster its efforts to combat cybercrime associated with cryptocurrency. See related article: Peirce dissents from SEC’s US$100M BlockFi settlement Fast facts The SEC on Tuesday said that its staff strength in a […]
MicroStrategy posts Q1 revenue loss amid falling Bitcoin price
MicroStrategy Inc., the world’s largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, reported a total revenue of US$119.3 million in Q1, a 2.9% year-over-year decrease. See related article: Terra’s US$10 billion Bitcoin Bet Sends LUNA to Record High Fast facts As of March 31, MicroStrategy’s 129,218 BTC under management had a carrying value of US$2.896 billion and a […]
After crypto, India wants to come after DeFi
The Indian government is exploring ways to levy additional taxes on interest earned on cryptocurrencies through decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms located outside India, according to an Economic Times report. See related article: India tax breaks crypto’s back Fast facts The government wants to impose a 20% tax deducted at source (TDS) or factory-gate levy for […]
The Mooch is back, and batting for crypto!
Anthony Scaramucci, founder of investment firm SkyBridge Capital and former White House communications director, says governments such as those in China and the US will inevitably allow for people to own and trade cryptocurrencies.
Hockenheimring racetrack joins Animoca Brands’ REVV ecosystem
Blockchain unicorn Animoca Brands said it has signed a licensing deal to include the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg racetrack in its REVV Motorsport ecosystem of play-to-earn racing games. See related article: Need for Speed gets Hong Kong’s Animoca in driver’s seat Fast facts Animoca Brands will mint and sell non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that represent partial ownership of […]
Solana struggles under US$90 while NFT sales surge higher
Following a network outage over the weekend, Solana continued to trade below US$90 at 12 p.m. HKT on Tuesday, although Solana’s non-fungible token (NFT) secondary sales rebounded sharply, rising more than 95% in the past 24 hours. See related article: Solana loses consensus after bots flood network, SOL takes hit Fast facts Solana was trading […]
How NFTs can allow everyone to benefit from robots and automation
What are ‘machine NFTs’ and how could they help democratize the ownership of capital in a future ‘machine economy’? Max Thake of peaq explains.
Bitcoin lobbyists rebut ‘misconceptions’ over environmental impact
Signed by MicroStrategy’s Michael Saylor, Castle Island Ventures’ Nic Carter and Block’s Jack Dorsey, the Bitcoin Mining Council’s (BMC) letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sought to respond to legislators’ “serious concerns.” See related article: Almost 60% of Bitcoin mining now on sustainable energy: BMC Fast facts BMC’s letter was written in response to […]
The problems with retail crypto trading — and how to solve them
Young investors demand more accessibility, transparency and accountability than traders of yore, writes Joe Jowett of StrikeX. What are the solutions?
Canada’s 3iQ could be first to launch Australian crypto ETF
Last-minute delays to three Australian cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) could allow Toronto-based 3iQ Digital Asset Management to launch the first of such products in the country, the Australian Financial Review reported. See related article: Launch of three crypto ETFs in Australia delayed Fast facts The Canadian firm lodged disclosure documents with the Australian Securities and […]
Shiba Inu explained — diving beyond the memecoin
Following a year of explosive price gains, the SHIB token is inching closer toward becoming a top 10 cryptocurrency. Will this so-called “Dogecoin killer” succeed? Forkast.News explores what’s in store for Shiba Inu.
Wikimedia Foundation to no longer accept crypto donations
The Wikimedia Foundation (WMF), the organization that runs the online encyclopedia Wikipedia, will no longer accept donations in the form of cryptocurrency, the foundation announced Sunday. See related article: Ukraine crypto donations top $36M amid Russian invasion Fast facts The decision follows a vote concluded on April 12 where over 70% of the community voted […]
Solana loses consensus after bots flood network, SOL takes hit
Solana suffered another outage on Sunday Asia time, after the network lost consensus due to bots flooding the non-fungible token (NFT) minting tool “Candy Machine,” spamming more than six million transactions per second. See related article: Solana DeFi avoids meltdown as Wormhole loss replaced Fast facts The network was down for about seven hours before […]
Yuga Labs Otherside NFTs top US$285 mln; over US$175 mln in ETH gas guzzled
Yuga Labs’ long-awaited metaverse project Otherside debuted on Saturday in a non-fungible token (NFT) land sale to generate US$285 million but also clogged the Ethereum network to cost investors millions in gas fees. See relates article: Bored Apes creator to launch new metaverse ‘Otherside’ Fast facts Traders snapped up a limited supply of 55,000 “Otherdeeds” […]
From in-print to online to on-chain: How will Web 3.0 reshape news media?
There’s never a dull moment in the news business. Now, as media outlets explore blockchain, the Associated Press’s Dwayne Desaulniers says more change is coming.
Another crypto firm leaves Singapore; South Korean secrets sold for crypto
Another crypto exchanges moves out of Singapore into Dubai. Meanwhile, two South Koreans have been charged for treason.
Perpetrator of South Korea’s ‘Bitcoin-gate’ untraceable
A loophole in South Korea’s recent ‘Travel Rule’ means the North Korean hacker behind the stunning espionage saga involving Bitcoin may evade authorities, Forkast learns.
John Legend’s OurSong raises US$7.5 mln to fuel music NFTs
Our Happy Company, cofounded by musician John Legend, has raised US$7.5 million in its seed round, as the company looks to expand its music non-fungible token (NFT) platform OurSong. Watch explainer: What does Music have to do with NFTs? Fast facts The financing round was led by Infinity Ventures Crypto and Animoca Brands, the company […]
Samsung Asset to list blockchain ETF in Hong Kong: report
South Korean asset manager Samsung Asset Management is reportedly set to list a blockchain exchange-traded fund (ETF) on the Hong Kong stock exchange (HKEX), local media reported on Thursday. See related article: South Korea’s largest financial group mulls crypto ETFs Fast facts The ETF set to list in Hong Kong will have the identical structure […]
Chinese streaming service Bilibili debuts NFTs for foreign buyers
Bilibili, a video streaming platform popular with China’s Generation Z, Thursday announced a batch of Ethereum-based non-fungible tokens (NFTs) for sale overseas. See related article: Resist the temptation on NFTs, Chinese state-backed developer says Fast facts Bilibili said the NFTs will be a series of auto-generated characters with different features such as faces, clothes, skin […]
Goldman Sachs offers first Bitcoin-backed loan
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. offered its first Bitcoin-backed loan, setting another milestone in Wall Street’s cryptocurrency adoption, Bloomberg reported on Friday. See related article: Crypto milestone on Wall St.: Goldman Sachs makes OTC Bitcoin trade Fast facts The cash loan’s Bitcoin collateral was owned by the borrower, according to the Bloomberg report. The banking giant […]
Singapore wants to bring some adult supervision to crypto
The city-state wants to position itself as a hub for cryptocurrency service providers while holding onto its reputation as an important cog in the global AML, ATF compliance machinery.
Tax authorities in China jump onto NFT bandwagon
More state departments in China are embracing NFTs, with tax bureaus in Shanghai and Chengdu releasing tokens based on Tencent’s blockchain. See related article: ‘Voice of April’ NFTs highlight Shanghai’s struggles amid harsh lockdown Fast facts Shanghai will drop 2,000 NFTs themed on its tax office mascot on Friday. Chengdu’s tax office dropped 1,000 NFTs […]
Philippines central bank to trial wholesale CBDC
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will launch a wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC) pilot project, coined CBDCPh, as part of its efforts to promote the stability of the country’s payment system. See related article: Report: Stablecoins, CBDCs may not resolve financial inclusion, international remittance challenges Fast facts The central bank’s pilot will test the […]
Singapore grants in-principle license to Revolut
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has granted in-principle approval to fintech firm Revolut to offer digital payment token (DPT) services under the Payment Services Act, according to media reports. See related article: Caught between a rock and a hard place, Singapore tightens crypto oversight Fast facts Revolut Technologies Singapore Pte. Ltd. (RTS) is already […]
Bitcoin mining difficulty hits new high in latest adjustment
Bitcoin mining difficulty reached yet another all-time high on Wednesday, logging a 5.56% increase from the last adjustment two weeks ago. See related article: Almost 60% of Bitcoin mining now on sustainable energy: BMC Fast facts The mining difficulty level is now at 29.79 trillion at block height 733,824, after it saw a drop of […]
Bitcoin officially legal tender in Central African Republic
The Central African Republic (CAR) became the second country in the world — and the first in Africa — to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender on Wednesday. See related article: What does El Salvador’s new Bitcoin law mean for crypto markets? Fast facts President Faustin-Archange Touadera on Wednesday approved the bill regulating cryptocurrencies, which passed […]
What is ApeCoin and How It Made The Bored Apes Richer
Bored Ape Yacht Club owners rejoiced, as ApeCoin launched with a generous airdrop for the NFT collection’s holders. Learn what ApeCoin is and how it made the Bored Apes richer in this Forkast explainer.
Is Elon Musk’s Twitter grab good for crypto?
Top blockchain and crypto news: Tweet dreams come true for world’s richest man. Instagram scam hits Bored Apes. Bilibili tests China’s NFT boundaries.
Elon Musk is buying Twitter to colonize our headspace and send his pet DOGE to the moon
Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover isn’t really about free speech, writes Ben Armstrong, aka BitBoy Crypto. It’s an attempt to push you out of Bitcoin and sell your data.
China expands digital yuan trial to cover tax, social security, toll gates
China has broadened the range of public services and the number of cities included in its digital yuan pilot project underway in the provinces of Zhejiang and Fujian. See related article: Chinese state media calls for wider e-CNY adoption Fast facts See related article: Hangzhou races to showcase digital yuan at Asian Games
New York State Assembly votes to pause crypto mining
The New York State Assembly said it passed a cryptocurrency mining moratorium bill on Tuesday, blocking new permits and expansion for proof-of-work (PoW) mining facilities using carbon-based energy sources. See related article: New York’s Bitcoin mining showdown sets stage for battles elsewhere Fast facts The bill needs approval by the New York State Senate. Existing […]
Kraken gets Abu Dhabi nod to offer full services in MENA
The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Monday said it granted a full license to the global cryptocurrency exchange, allowing it to service customers across the Middle East and North Africa region. See related article: Dubai could be crypto’s promised land, Citi says Fast facts The license from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM […]
New US$1B crypto fund lands backing from a16z, Solana founders
Former Microsoft strategist Joe McCann’s new crypto fund Asymmetric has gained backing from a16z’s Marc Andreessen and Solana cofounders Anatoly Yakovenko and Raj Gokal, The Block reported. See related article: KuCoin launches $100 mln fund for NFT projects Fast facts Asymmetric is aiming to raise US$1 billion to be split into a venture investment fund […]
Almost 60% of Bitcoin mining now on sustainable energy: BMC
The Bitcoin Mining Council, a voluntary forum of cryptocurrency mining companies supported by Michael Saylor’s MicroStrategy Inc., said its latest quarterly survey showed the global Bitcoin mining industry is relying more on electricity from sustainable sources. See related article: Can Ethereum’s proof-of-stake transition save the planet? Fast facts The global Bitcoin mining industry had a […]
Binance may set up shop in G-7 country in Europe, says founder CZ
The world’s largest crypto exchange may soon establish a regulated entity in a G-7 nation in Europe, Binance founder and CEO Changpeng Zhao said Tuesday at the Financial Times Crypto and Digital Assets Summit. See related article: Binance wants to play ball with regulators Fast facts Zhao said Binance already has a standard corporate structure […]
55,000 Meta Cricket League NFTs sell out in nine minutes
Jump.trade, a gaming non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace by GuardianLink, sold 55,000 Meta Cricket League (MCL) collectibles within nine minutes of launching on Friday, Economic Times reported. See related article: NFTs are leveling up gaming and not all about money Fast facts Priced at $25 each, the Super Loot NFTs marked GuardianLink’s foray into the artificial […]
Fireblocks provides institutional investors access to Terra DeFi
Fireblocks, a digital asset custody platform, says its institutional clients can now access decentralized applications supported by Terra’s decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem, the No. 2 protocol behind Ethereum. See related article: Late digitization is Asia’s edge in crypto, says Fireblocks CEO Fast facts Institutional users can now access decentralized applications built on Terra such as […]
DOGE jumps on Twitter deal; Australian crypto ETFs delay
Dogecoin skyrockets as Elon Musk’s Twitter deal finalizes. Meanwhile, a Korean music platform registers NFTs patent.
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 […]
Launch of three crypto ETFs in Australia delayed
After being on track to beat the US to the launch of a Bitcoin spot ETF, the delay is likely to undermine Australia’s desire to emerge as a top destination for digital assets in the developed world.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Binance makes Russia denial; CoinDCX talk future plans
Binance categorically denies sharing client data with Russia. Meanwhile, Chinese officials push for e-CNY use at the Asian Games.
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.
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 […]
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 […]
Crypto industry looks to the UAE; Crypto’s environmental concerns
More crypto players are eyeing the UAE as a hub. Meanwhile, a mysterious map sends Pudgy Penguin NFTs skyrocketing.
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 […]